India, Nepal strengthen health cooperation at WHA78 bilateral meeting in Geneva

ANI May 21, 2025 250 views

India and Nepal held a key health meeting at WHA78, discussing affordable drugs and digital health solutions. The talks reinforced their long-standing health partnership. India was also recognized for eliminating trachoma as a public health threat. PM Modi highlighted India's global health contributions, including the Ayushman Bharat scheme.

"A bilateral meeting took place today on the sidelines of #WHA78 between Health Secretary, Govt of India, Punya Salila Srivastava and Pradip Paudel, Minister of Health and Population, Govt of Nepal." – MoHFW
Geneva, May 21: Reinforcing the strong health partnership between the two nations, India and Nepal held a significant bilateral meeting in Geneva on Tuesday (local time) on the sidelines of the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA78).

Key Points

1

Focus on affordable drugs and disease control

2

Digital health and workforce capacity building

3

India's trachoma elimination milestone

4

PM Modi highlights Ayushman Bharat at WHA78

The meeting, held between India's Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava and Nepal's Minister of Health and Population Pradip Paudel, focused on key health issues such as affordable drugs, communicable and non-communicable diseases (NCDs), digital health, and capacity building of the health workforce.

"A bilateral meeting took place today on the sidelines of #WHA78 between Health Secretary, Govt of India, Punya Salila Srivastava and Pradip Paudel, Minister of Health and Population, Govt of Nepal. Bilateral issues on health such as ensuring affordable drugs, communicable diseases, NCDs, digital health and capacity building of health workforce were discussed," the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) stated in a post on X.

"The meeting also reinforced the strong partnership and support shared by India and Nepal," The MoHFW further noted.

Earlier, India was conferred with the certificate of eliminating Trachoma as a public health problem at the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva.

Union Health Minister JP Nadda lauded this achievement and said it was a proud moment for the nation.

"A proud moment for the nation at WHA78 (World Health Assembly), India has been conferred the Certificate of Elimination of Trachoma as a Public Health Problem by Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General at WHO, at the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva," Nadda stated in a post on X.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually addressed the 78th Session of the World Health Assembly in Geneva from New Delhi on Tuesday, highlighting India's contributions to global health initiatives under the unifying theme of "One World for Health".

PM Modi mentioned India's Ayushman Bharat scheme, the world's largest health insurance program, which covers 580 million people and provides free treatment.

He outlined three cores for the future of a healthy world - inclusion, integrated vision and collaboration.

Reader Comments

Here are 6 diverse Indian perspective comments for the article:
R
Rajesh K.
Great to see our historic ties with Nepal getting stronger in healthcare! 🇮🇳🇳🇵 The focus on affordable medicines is crucial - many Nepali patients come to India for treatment. Hope this cooperation extends to joint research on Himalayan region-specific diseases too.
P
Priya M.
While I appreciate the health diplomacy, I hope our own primary healthcare centers get equal attention. Many rural hospitals still lack basic facilities. First fix our system, then help others - no?
A
Arjun S.
The trachoma elimination certificate is a massive achievement! 👏 Remember when this disease was common in many states. Shows what proper public health programs can achieve. More power to our health workers!
S
Sunita R.
Digital health collaboration with Nepal makes perfect sense - similar challenges, similar terrain. Our eSanjeevani telemedicine platform could be a game-changer for remote Himalayan villages on both sides of the border.
V
Vikram J.
PM Modi's "One World for Health" vision is good, but implementation is key. While Ayushman Bharat is impressive, we need to ensure quality standards are maintained as coverage expands. Quantity ≠ Quality.
N
Neha P.
As someone from Uttarakhand, I've seen how health issues don't respect borders. Joint programs with Nepal for mountain communities is a smart move. Maybe include Bhutan in future talks too? The entire Himalayan region faces similar challenges.

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Tags:
India Nepal health cooperation WHA78 Geneva Punya Salila Srivastava Pradip Paudel Ayushman Bharat