India highlights major expansion of medical, nursing and allied healthcare workforce; reaffirms commitment to equitable access to specialized care for rural, tribal and underserved populations at WHO RC79

Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare participated in the Ministerial Roundtable at the 79th Session of the WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia (RC79) in Timor-Leste, highlighting India's major expansion in medical, nursing, and allied healthcare education and workforce. Statistics shared show medical colleges more than doubling since 2014, alongside substantial growths in MBBS and postgraduate seats. Initiatives like the establishment of new nursing colleges, introduction of Nurse Practitioner Programmes, creation of allied and healthcare professionals under dedicated national acts, Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, and digital health initiatives like eSanjeevani were underscored. A key outcome of RC79 was the adoption of the Dili Declaration on Equity in Specialized Care, and India was honored with two WHO South-East Asia Regional awards for maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination and leadership in noncommunicable disease management.