The Indian government is accelerating the expansion of its digital health infrastructure under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, with a focus on improving primary healthcare, immunisation, and disease surveillance, Union Minister of State for Health and Ayush Prataprao Jadhav announced. Speaking at an event hosted by the National Institute of Health and Family Welfare (NIHFW), the minister emphasised the need for robust public health institutions and highlighted NIHFW’s role in training skilled professionals and supporting national health programmes.
Advancing Public Health Services
Jadhav outlined plans to strengthen health and wellness centres nationwide, expand immunisation efforts, introduce new vaccines, and make disease surveillance systems more effective. He stressed that a resilient digital infrastructure is critical for monitoring population health and ensuring timely interventions across India.
Dr Sunita Sharma, Director General of Health Services, praised NIHFW’s contributions to public health research, training, and policy implementation. She highlighted the institute’s pivotal role in building the capacity of India’s health workforce and enabling effective delivery of national health programmes.
Celebrating Excellence and Innovation
The NIHFW event also marked the release of the institute’s annual publications, including “Dharna”, the HPPI Journal, and the “Prospects of Placement Cell”. Awards were presented to outstanding employees, students, and sports achievers, recognising dedication and excellence. Cultural performances by students highlighted the vibrant academic environment and reaffirmed NIHFW’s commitment to advancing public health education, research, and policy support.
Dr Sunil Vilasrao Gitte, Director of NIHFW, reflected on the institute’s achievements over the past year, including advancements in research, training initiatives, and collaborative efforts to strengthen India’s health systems. The institute continues to play a key role in realising the government’s vision of technology-enabled, high-quality healthcare accessible to all citizens.