Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said India has achieved a 97 per cent reduction in malaria cases and is on track to become malaria-free in the near future. He made these remarks while addressing the All India Medical Conference – IMA NATCON 2025 organised by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) in Shela.
Health Schemes Drive Disease Control
According to Shah, sustained implementation of flagship healthcare schemes has delivered measurable outcomes. He credited initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat and Mission Indradhanush for the sharp decline in malaria cases. In addition, he noted that the government has reduced the mortality rate in dengue to just 1 per cent and achieved a 25 per cent reduction in maternal mortality.
Rising Health Budget Strengthens Outcomes
Highlighting increased public investment in healthcare, Shah said the Centre’s health budget has risen from ₹37,000 crore in 2014 to ₹1.28 lakh crore under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He emphasised that such achievements materialise only when policies and schemes are effectively implemented on the ground, leading to unprecedented improvements in public health.
Aligning Medical Efforts with National Infrastructure
As reported by theweek, addressing the medical fraternity, Shah urged doctors to align their professional efforts with the expanding healthcare infrastructure and government schemes. He stressed that such alignment would help deliver better outcomes for patients and strengthen the overall health system.
Healthy Demography Key to Viksit Bharat 2047
Shah underscored that the role of doctors and the IMA has become more critical than ever, as India needs a healthy demography to realise Prime Minister Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047. Accordingly, he said the Centre has been working since 2014 to build a robust and holistic health ecosystem.
Building a Holistic Health Ecosystem
Explaining this approach, Shah highlighted key national initiatives including the Swachh Bharat Mission, Ayushman Bharat, Fit India Movement, and Khelo India. Together, these programmes aim to improve sanitation, provide financial health protection, and promote preventive healthcare through fitness and active lifestyles.
Making Healthcare More Affordable and Accessible
Shah noted that the government has made generic medicines affordable, reduced the cost of several drugs by removing GST, expanded medical education seats, and increased the reach of AIIMS across the country. Furthermore, he announced that the Centre will soon launch an AIIMS-led programme to guide Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Community Health Centres (CHCs) through telemedicine and videography.
IMA Urged to Reimagine Its Role at 100
As the IMA marks 100 years of its establishment, Shah called on its leadership to rethink the scope and dimensions of its contribution. He urged the association to work in the context of affordable, accessible, and quality healthcare for all.
Ethics and Service in Medical Education
Emphasising values in medicine, Shah said ethics and professional responsibility must form an integral part of medical education. He urged the IMA to help redefine these dimensions and support the Centre in incorporating them into training curricula. Such efforts, he said, would produce doctors who view their profession as a service to the nation, which is the need of the hour.
Expanding Telemedicine Through Volunteerism
To strengthen outreach, Shah appealed to the IMA to prepare a list of doctors willing to volunteer three hours daily to provide diagnosis to needy citizens through a telemedicine network. He also encouraged the association to use its collective expertise to resolve long-pending issues in the healthcare sector.
Shifting Focus from Illness to Wellness
Shah urged doctors to adopt the concept of wellness over illness. Along with prescribing medicines, he said, doctors should guide patients on lifestyle changes and healthy habits to prevent disease and promote long-term well-being.
Defence of Ayushman Bharat and Generic Medicines
On the occasion, Shah expressed concern over attempts by some doctors to downplay the contribution of the Ayushman Bharat scheme and the distribution of generic medicines. He asserted that these initiatives are essential to fill existing gaps in the healthcare system.
Call for Constructive Engagement
Concluding his address, Shah clarified that private-sector doctors are not in competition with government initiatives. While glorification is not mandatory, he said efforts to belittle such programmes should stop. Instead, constructive engagement is necessary to strengthen India’s healthcare delivery and ensure equitable access for all citizens.