India has shifted from curative to preventive healthcare: Nadda at NCW Foundation Day programme
India has moved from a predominantly curative healthcare approach to a preventive and promotive model under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Health Minister J.P Nadda said on Friday, citing sharp improvements in maternal and child health indicators.
Addressing the Foundation Day programme of the National Commission for Women (NCW), the Health Minister said India’s Maternal Mortality Ratio has declined from 130 per lakh live births in 2014–15 to 88 per lakh live births, among the fastest reductions globally.
He said the National Health Policy, 2017 laid the foundation for integrated healthcare covering preventive, promotive, curative, palliative and rehabilitative services. To implement this vision, over 1.81 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs have been established across the country, serving more than 1.4 billion citizens, with a strong focus on maternal and reproductive healthcare.
Highlighting maternal and child health interventions, Nadda said the government ensures continuous healthcare monitoring from conception until a child attains 16 years of age, primarily through ASHA workers. Over 2.5 crore pregnant women and 2.5 crore children are being tracked through the U-WIN digital platform for timely immunisation and health interventions.
Between 2016 and 2024, more than 7.5 crore antenatal check-ups were conducted, while institutional deliveries have increased by 89 per cent over the past decade, he said.
On preventive screening, the Health Minister said over 40 crore people have been screened for hypertension, leading to 6.8 crore diagnoses, while diabetes screening of a similar number resulted in 4.6 crore diagnoses. Screenings have also led to the detection of over two lakh oral cancer cases, 90,000 cervical cancer cases and 75,800 breast cancer cases, enabling early treatment.
Addressing mental healthcare, he highlighted Tele-MANAS, which provides 24×7 mental health counselling in 20 languages, ensuring accessible and stigma-free support.
Referring to the ‘Swastha Nari, Sashakt Parivaar Abhiyaan’, he said the campaign saw participation from over 11 crore women and focused on large-scale screening for non-communicable diseases and other health conditions.
In his concluding remarks, Nadda said women-centric governance would remain central to national policymaking, calling for sustained reforms and stronger implementation to ensure better outcomes for women.
The event also saw the release of NCW’s monthly magazine Jagriti, a handbook on the Maternity Benefit Act, the launch of pre-marital communication digital training modules, release of the NCW Calendar on Women Scientists, felicitation of eight women space scientists, and the award of scholarships under the Shakti Scholars Youth Research Fellowship.
