How Does Healthcare for India Embody Wellness and Happiness?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Healthcare in India focuses on holistic wellness.
- Universal health access is a shared responsibility.
- Ayushman Bharat benefits over 62 crore citizens.
- India prioritizes global health initiatives.
- A healthy population drives economic growth.
New Delhi, April 27 (NationPress) For India, healthcare transcends mere treatment of diseases; it embodies the essence of comprehensive wellness, asserted Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Sunday.
India envisions a healthcare system that encompasses physical fitness, mental well-being, familial health, and an enhanced quality of life for every individual, he articulated.
"Although healthcare is not a direct responsibility of my ministry, it is essential for each citizen and leader to unite in the endeavor of achieving universal health access, a pivotal Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)," Goyal remarked during the World Health Summit Regional Meeting 2025.
In his address themed "Scaling Access to Ensure Health Equity," Goyal underscored India's unwavering commitment to ensuring that healthcare is both accessible and affordable.
Reflecting on India's pivotal role during the Covid-19 pandemic, he highlighted the Vaccine Maitri initiative, through which India delivered nearly 300 million vaccine doses to nations in need, particularly in Africa and other developing regions.
“While many countries prioritized their own needs during the pandemic, India opted to prioritize humanity by offering support to others,” Goyal emphasized.
The Union Minister also discussed India's strategies to ensure the equitable distribution of essential medicines like paracetamol and hydroxychloroquine during the crisis.
"The government acted swiftly to curb hoarding and price manipulation, guaranteeing that medicines remained affordable and accessible to those in dire need," he stated.
Highlighting domestic milestones, Goyal commended the Ayushman Bharat scheme, which currently provides free, quality healthcare to over 62 crore Indians.
He described it as the world’s largest government-funded health assurance initiative, reflecting India’s comprehensive approach to healthcare—focusing not only on healing ailments but also on fostering overall wellness.
Goyal connected health equity directly to India’s developmental aspirations. "A healthy populace is crucial for maintaining India's trajectory as the world's fastest-growing economy," he articulated.
With an average age of merely 28, India’s youthful demographic is a significant asset that could propel the nation towards a $30–$40 trillion economy by 2047, he concluded.