Nadda holds high-level meet with Suvendu

Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Saturday held a high-level review meeting with West Bengal (WB) Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, during which discussions were held on signing an MoU for the implementation of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) in the state, enabling eligible beneficiaries to access healthcare benefits without delay.

According to a health ministry statement, Nadda said that nearly 1.45 crore families, including senior citizens, would be covered under AB PM-JAY and are expected to benefit from expanded healthcare coverage and interventions once the scheme is implemented in West Bengal.

During the virtual meeting, Adhikari requested the Centre’s support and guidance for the effective implementation of the scheme in the state, aiming to ensure that affordable healthcare reaches vulnerable and underserved populations. Nadda also emphasised the need for the state to expedite the rollout of HPV vaccinations.

The meeting included discussions on strengthening healthcare services, the implementation of key health programs, and the effective utilisation of funds under the National Health Mission (NHM), PM-ABHIM, and other flagship schemes, the statement said.

Discussions were also held on achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through improvement of health infrastructure, immunisation, maternal and child health initiatives, TB and other vector-borne disease elimination, early screening and diagnosis of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and availability of drugs and diagnostics at all public care health facilities, the statement said.

Emphasis was laid on the timely utilisation of funds, strengthening healthcare delivery systems, better programme monitoring, and ensuring quality healthcare services across the State. Under the National Health Mission, a total resource envelope of Rs 3505.59 crore for FY 2026-27 was conveyed to the state, out of which, the first mother sanction for Rs 527.58 crore has been released to the state today, the statement said.

Addressing the meeting, Nadda emphasised that sustained efforts are required to improve and maintain key public health indicators such as Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR), Under-5 Mortality Rate (U5MR) and Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR), particularly considering West Bengal’s border areas and associated public health sensitivities. He also underlined the need to intensify efforts under the Measles-Rubella elimination campaign.

Nadda also highlighted the importance of accelerating the implementation of the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan and suggested organising dedicated sensitisation workshops for Members of Parliament and Members of Legislative Assembly to strengthen public participation. Additionally, Nadda stressed the need for launching HPV vaccination initiatives in the state under a preventive healthcare framework, noting that a large number of young girls remain susceptible to cervical cancer and related health risks the statement said.

Adhikari informed that all pending and previous health-related data and documentation regarding the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare are being streamlined and cleared on priority to facilitate better coordination, transparency and effective implementation of healthcare programmes, it stated.