India Expanding Digital Health Infrastructure and Disease Surveillance Systems: MoS Prataprao Jadhav
Union Minister of State for Health Prataprao Jadhav says India is strengthening digital health systems, immunisation coverage and disease surveillance to improve public health preparedness.
- By PharmaNews Live Desk
- New Delhi
- Mar 10, 2026
India is expanding its digital health infrastructure and strengthening disease surveillance systems to improve public health preparedness, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav said while addressing the 49th Annual Day celebration of the National Institute of Health and Family Welfare (NIHFW) in New Delhi.
The event highlighted the role of the institute in advancing public health education, research and capacity building for the country’s healthcare system.
Focus on digital health and primary care
Addressing the gathering, Jadhav said the government is expanding digital health systems under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) to strengthen healthcare delivery and improve access to medical services.
“We are expanding digital health infrastructure under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission,” the minister said, while emphasising the need to integrate digital tools into healthcare delivery systems.
He also highlighted the expansion of Health and Wellness Centres, which aim to strengthen primary healthcare services across the country.
According to the minister, the government is working to ensure better access to healthcare by strengthening institutional capacity, expanding digital health initiatives and improving public health systems.
Enhancing disease surveillance and immunisation
Jadhav also stressed the importance of improving disease surveillance systems to enable early detection and response to health threats.
He said India is working to strengthen monitoring mechanisms and expand immunisation programmes as part of broader efforts to enhance public health preparedness.
The minister noted that the government is introducing new vaccines and expanding coverage under national immunisation programmes to improve population health outcomes.
NIHFW’s role in strengthening health systems
The National Institute of Health and Family Welfare, headquartered in New Delhi, plays a key role in training healthcare professionals and supporting public health research and policy development.
Established in 1977 under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the institute focuses on public health training, health administration and research aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery systems in India.
During the annual day event, officials highlighted the institute’s contribution to capacity building for the health workforce and its role in supporting national health programmes.
Commitment to stronger public health systems
The minister said strengthening healthcare infrastructure, expanding digital health initiatives and improving disease surveillance will remain key priorities as India works to build more resilient public health systems.
He added that institutions such as NIHFW play a crucial role in supporting government programmes and training health professionals needed to strengthen healthcare delivery across the country.