India’s Health Minister, Anupriya Singh Patel, told a gathering in Colombo on Tuesday that the nation is set on keeping older people safe, respected and well‑cared. She said India will push “healthy ageing” by tightening primary health care for seniors and making health services cheaper and easier to reach.
The ministers met at the World Health Organization’s 78th South‑East Asia Regional Committee session. The two‑day gathering ran from Oct. 13‑15 and was guided by the theme “Healthy Ageing through Strengthened Primary Health Care.” Patel echoed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” message about inclusive growth for every age group, especially the elderly.
India is facing a huge demographic shift, with about 153 million citizens aged 60 or older. To help this growing group, the government has launched several programs. The National Programme for Healthcare of the Elderly (NPHCE) now runs in 92 % of districts, offering prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation through community health posts. The help also comes from Ayushman Bharat’s Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB‑PMJAY), a cash‑less health scheme that now covers all people aged 70 and up, no matter their income. The plan aims to give nearly 60 million seniors, spread across 45 million families, access to hospital care worth up to ₹5 lakh per family each year.
Patel urged WHO South‑East Asian members to work together on primary health care (PHC) and long‑term care. She suggested a regional platform for sharing ideas, training care workers, and testing new technologies that let older adults stay independent and dignified.
In short, India’s health policies aim to give its seniors high‑quality care, protect them from high medical bills, and bring them into a future where aging is seen as an opportunity for all. By boosting the primary health system, expanding national medical insurance, and cooperating with other Asian countries, India hopes to set a global example for senior citizens worldwide.
Source: ianslive
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