In New Delhi on Thursday, Health Minister JP Nadda spoke at the 19th FICCI HEAL 2025 conference, held at the FICCI Federation House. The two‑day event, organized by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) together with the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and NITI Aayog, carries the theme Care@25 – Defining Moments in Healthcare.
Nadda opened the conference with a keynote in which he celebrated India’s healthcare progress over the last 25 years. He highlighted the government’s promise to make health care accessible, affordable and high quality for all citizens.
Key points from his speech:
- Health system overhaul since 2017 – The government launched a comprehensive reform aimed at continuous care from prevention to palliative services.
- Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs) – 170,000 AAMs now serve as the first point of contact, expanding the reach of health services across the country.
- Births at hospital – Institutional deliveries rose from 79% to 89% thanks to frontline workers, such as ASHA volunteers.
- Maternal and child health gains – According to the Sample Registration System (SRS), maternal mortality fell from 130 to 88 per lakh births; infant mortality dropped from 39 to 27 per thousand births. Under‑five and neonatal deaths also fell sharply, outpacing global averages.
- Tuberculosis (TB) decline – WHO data show India’s TB incidence reduced by 17.7%, more than twice the global decline of 8.3%. Treatment starts within 10–15 days of diagnosis, improving early care.
- GST 2.0 and health insurance – The upcoming GST 2.0 framework will bring 0% tax on health insurance, boosting affordability and coverage.
During the conference, Nadda launched several new knowledge papers designed to drive policy and innovation in Indian healthcare:
- FICCI‑EY Report: True Accountable Care – A guide to improving accountability and quality across health delivery.
- FICCI Paper: Unlocking the Longevity Dividend – Strategies to promote active, healthy ageing.
- FICCI‑KPMG Paper: AI in Healthcare – Exploring how artificial intelligence can transform patient care and outcomes.
The event was attended by FICCI leaders, Roche Pharma’s Managing Director for India, and CEOs from Dan Vahdat and Huma Therapeutics, among others.
India’s health sector continues to evolve, with the government prioritizing financial protection, technology adoption, and stronger health systems – all hoped to bring the country closer to universal, affordable health care.
Source: aninews
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