Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Government of India attended the G20 Okayama Health Ministers’ Meeting on October 19-20, 2019, held under the Presidency of Japan in Okayama City, Japan.

The deliberations of the G 20 Health Ministers focused on four major global health issues, namely (i) Achievement of Universal Health Coverage (ii) Response to population aging (iii) Management of health risks and health security management including Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR) and its containment. Union Health Minister made specific interventions on all of them.

Intervening on Universal Health coverage (UHC), Prime Minister’s vision of  ‘Sab Ka Saath; Sab Ka Vikas; Sab Ka Vishwas’ for inclusive health was highlighted along with Ayushman Bharat, FIT India Movement and Eat Right Campaign. Union Health minister confided that India is on the path to UHC and will contribute effectively in sustaining UHC at the global level.

He conveyed to G20 countries the efforts done so far under National Programme for Health Care of Elderly to provide accessible, affordable, and high-quality long-term, comprehensive health care services to an ageing population.  In his intervention he also made a mention of public health measures to tackle Dementia.  He concluded his intervention by highlighting India’s commitment to ensure dignity with care for its elderly.

Dr Harsh Vardhan met Robert Speranza, Minister for Health, Government of Italy and his delegation. Both Ministers mutually agreed for sharing experiences and best practices on Universal Health Coverage, AMR and research in health sector. Italy also showed its interest in collaborating with India in Pharma sector. India invited Italy to join Global Digital Health Partnership.

He also met Kim Yong Gan, Minister of Health, along with Singapore G20 delegation. The discussion centered around India’s “Eat Right Movement”. Singapore Delegation showed interest to carry it forward for their population.

In the bilateral meeting held with Eric Hargan, Deputy Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services, Government of USA, common concerns such as elimination of Tuberculosis, UHC, AMR, Global Digital Health, operationalizing multiple health data systems and modeling and forecasting for epidemic prone diseases and pandemics were discussed.

With Nicola Blackwood, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, United Kingdom, India-UK Collaboration in the field of health care was discussed. Both agreed to take forward agenda on AMR, Digital Health and Genomics. Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare invited UK delegation to India under the aegis of India-UK Collaboration.