New Delhi, March 8 – Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda recently underscored the crucial function of Health Technology Assessment (HTA) in realizing the government’s mission of providing affordable, equitable, and accessible healthcare to all citizens.
Speaking at the inauguration of the third International Symposium on Health Technology Assessment (ISHTA 2025) held at Bharat Mandapam, Nadda reiterated the government’s firm dedication to fortifying India’s healthcare infrastructure and ensuring comprehensive healthcare accessibility and affordability.
“The Health Technology Assessment (HTA) plays a pivotal role in promoting evidence-based policy formulation, essential for establishing an efficient, equitable, and high-quality health system that aligns with the objectives of Universal Health Coverage (UHC),” Nadda stated.
The Union Health Minister further highlighted the presence of HTA India resource centers across 19 states within India, describing them as a vital tool for establishing priorities. These centers have significantly aided in achieving various health goals, like boosting TB detection, optimizing healthcare expenses, and incorporating evidence-based data into national health programs.
Nadda highlighted the government’s commitment to expanding primary, secondary, and tertiary care options across the country. “The government is focused on delivering healthcare that incorporates preventive, curative, palliative, and rehabilitative elements,” he declared.
He added that, to date, 22 state-of-the-art AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) have been established. Furthermore, there has been a notable growth in the number of MBBS and MD seats, along with an increase in the training of paramedic and nursing staff. He also revealed that an additional 75,000 seats are planned to be created within the medical sector, with 30,000 seats opened in the past year.
During the event, Nadda also launched several key resources. These included the Patent Mitra initiative, developed in collaboration with NITI Aayog, the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP), and supported by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
“Our nation is making a significant leap in supporting our innovators. The platform is designed to provide crucial support to scientists, researchers, and institutions, ensuring their groundbreaking work is protected through patents and made available to the public through seamless technology transfer,” he said.
The Medical Innovations Patent Mitra initiative is set to offer support to ICMR Institutes, ICMR Extramural Grantees, and Medical Colleges and Institutes. It will provide patentability assessments, help with patent filing in India, and offer assistance during patent prosecution. The initiative also promotes technology transfer.
