During the 78th Session of the WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia, held in Colombo from October 13-15, 2025, India reaffirmed its dedication to promoting healthy ageing through robust primary healthcare initiatives. Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Smt. Anupriya Singh Patel, represented India, emphasizing comprehensive, elderly-centric healthcare systems.

Expanding Healthcare Access for the Elderly

With India’s elderly population reaching 153 million (aged 60 and above), the country is undergoing a significant demographic shift. To address this, the Government of India has implemented key measures to ensure equitable, accessible, and affordable healthcare tailored to senior citizens’ needs.

National Programme for Healthcare of the Elderly (NPHCE)

The NPHCE, operational in 92% of India’s districts, is a cornerstone of the nation’s elderly healthcare strategy. It delivers preventive, promotive, curative, and rehabilitative services through a primary healthcare approach. The program integrates home, community, and facility-based interventions, complemented by structured caregiver training to support dignified ageing within families and communities.

Ayushman Bharat PMJAY Expansion

The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) now covers all citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of income. This expansion benefits approximately 60 million elderly individuals across 45 million families, providing cashless hospital care up to ₹5 lakh per family annually in public and empanelled private hospitals.

National and Regional Geriatric Centres

India has established two National Centres of Ageing (NCAs) at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, and Madras Medical College, Chennai. Additionally, 17 Regional Geriatric Centres serve as hubs for clinical excellence, capacity building, research, and policy guidance, enhancing elderly care nationwide.

Focus on Women’s Health

The recent Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan campaign, meaning “Healthy Women, Empowered Families,” screened millions of elderly individuals, particularly women, for non-communicable diseases and age-related conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and cancers.

Advocating Regional Cooperation

At the ministerial roundtable, themed “Healthy Ageing through Strengthened Primary Health Care,” India called for enhanced collaboration among WHO South-East Asia member states to integrate Primary Health Care and Long-Term Care (PHC-LTC). Smt. Patel proposed three key areas for regional cooperation:

• Establishing a regional platform for knowledge sharing and innovation on PHC-LTC integration.
• Investing in capacity building and training programs for the geriatric and caregiving workforce.
• Promoting technological innovations to support independent and dignified living for older adults.

Alignment with Global Goals

Reaffirming India’s commitment to the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021–2030), Smt. Patel emphasized that ageing should be seen as an opportunity for inclusive growth and social transformation. She reiterated the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, encapsulated in “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas” (Together with all, Development for all, Trust of all, Efforts of all), ensuring dignity, security, and care for all life stages.