JP Nadda highlights India's medical workforce expansion at WHO meeting

At the 79th Session of the WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia in Timor-Leste, Indian Union Health Minister JP Nadda participated in a ministerial roundtable focused on human resources for health and equity in specialised care. Nadda emphasized that achieving Universal Health Coverage requires a comprehensive strategy involving the education, training, deployment, and retention of a diverse healthcare workforce.

Nadda reported significant growth in India's medical education infrastructure since 2014. The number of medical colleges in the country has increased from 387 to 858, a rise of 121.71 percent. During this period, MBBS seats grew from 51,348 to 142,464, while postgraduate seats increased from 31,185 to 86,287. The minister noted that these efforts aim to improve healthcare access for rural, tribal, and underserved populations.