India Must Improve Quality of Diagnostics, Medicines: WHO

The quality of health services, medicines and diagnostics in the country needs to improve in order to make the National Health Assurance Mission (NHAM) a success, said the WHO representative in India, Nata Menabde.Mr. Menabde  was speaking at a discussion with public health experts and advocates on the need to ensure universal access to healthcare in India and across the world. He noted that India should do more for its citizens to provide them quality healthcare."Quality of health services and diagnostics, medicines needs to be improved along with more aware citizens for the national health mission to succeed," Menabde said at the India Islamic Cultural Centre (IICC).The event was organized by Public Health Foundation of India and supported by WHO, Rockefeller Foundation, and Oxfam India.It was a part of a coalition of over 500 health and development organisations around the world that are urging governments to accelerate reforms to ensure health services to all citizens.December 12 marks the two-year anniversary of a UN resolution which endorsed universal health coverage as a pillar of sustainable development and global security. The day is also observed as the first-ever Universal Health Coverage Day.