New Delhi :
Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda chaired a high-level ‘Kayakalp Manthan’ session on Thursday, bringing together representatives from Central Government hospitals, NGOs, and senior health ministry officials to discuss strategies for enhancing cleanliness, patient-centric care, and Jan Bhagidari (public participation) in India’s healthcare ecosystem.
Nadda traced the transformative journey of the Kayakalp Scheme, launched in 2015, which began with just 10 Central Government hospitals and has now expanded to 25 major institutions and numerous public health facilities across the country. In state-run hospitals, the scheme is being implemented through the National Health Mission (NHM).
Focus on Cleanliness, Infrastructure, and Patient Experience
During the session, Nadda acknowledged the substantial progress made under Kayakalp but stressed the need for further improvements, especially in delivering efficient and patient-friendly healthcare services. He highlighted the critical role that a hospital’s environment and ambience play in the mental and emotional well-being of both patients and healthcare workers.
A key concern raised was the public perception of government hospitals, shaped by issues such as cleanliness, infrastructure, staff behaviour, and amenities. Nadda urged stakeholders to address these root causes with practical, results-driven solutions.
Jan Bhagidari and Grassroots Strengthening
Emphasising Jan Bhagidari as a cornerstone of the initiative, Nadda advocated for active community involvement and local ownership of healthcare services. He called for Kayakalp to be adopted as a nationwide movement to ensure its sustained success.
The Minister also called for a strategic shift to decongest tertiary hospitals by strengthening state-run and grassroots facilities, including Sub-Health Centres (SHCs). He said the future focus will be on training, capacity-building, innovation, eco-friendly practices, and technology integration to decentralise care delivery.
Commitment to Continuous Monitoring and Reform
Nadda stressed that recognising problems is only the first step; continuous monitoring, periodic review, and strict implementation are essential for maintaining high standards of care. He concluded by stating that Kayakalp is not just a cleanliness initiative but a comprehensive transformation of the country’s public healthcare delivery system.
Senior ministry officials, including Roli Singh, Jaideep Kumar Mishra, Dr Vinod Kotwal, and Dr Sunita Sharma, along with heads of central healthcare institutions and NGOs, were present during the session.
