Kerala becomes the first state in India to implement UHC
Singapore: The Government of Kerala, India, has inked a pact with the World Health Organization (WHO) to implement universal health coverage(UHC) in the state. The new policy aims to control the rise of non-communicable diseases and make healthcare available to even the poor people in the state.
The agreement was signed in presence of health secretary Mr K Elangovan and WHO country representative to India Dr Nata Menabde, in the presence of Chief Minister Mr Oommen Chandy, health minister Mr V S Sivakumar, finance minister Mr K M Mani and panchayat minister Mr M K Muneer. As per the agreement, WHO would be imparting training to the experts on non-communicable disease and will provide technical support.
Speaking on the occasion Mr Chandy said, "Kerala is now facing new challenges even though the state has made several achievements in the health sector. He also stated that the greatest issue faced by the people of the state was with respect to health."
Reiterating that the need of the hour was right to health, Mr Chandy further added that the center should ensure that it was brought in so that everyone in the country gets quality healthcare. He also said that even though world-class healthcare is available in Kerala, it is accessible only to the wealthy. Through this program, government aims to make such care available to each and every person in the state.
"Kerala is the first state in India with which the WHO is entering into an agreement," Dr Menabde said,"the state had still a long way to go to improve the health sector even though the state has emerged a leader in the sector."
