The 16th Conference of the Central Council of Health and Family Welfare (CCHFW) is scheduled for Monday in New Delhi. Led by Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J.P. Nadda, the conference will address key policy priorities such as the National Health Mission (NHM) and food and drug reforms. Ministers of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel and Prataprao Jadhav will also be in attendance.
The conference aims to enhance collaboration between the center and states in the health sector. It will involve discussions on policy priorities, program reviews, and the identification of emerging challenges. Thematic sessions will focus on National Health Mission, Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)-linked priorities, food and drug reforms, and allied health services.
States and union territories will have the opportunity to exchange best practices and develop a unified strategy to enhance health outcomes nationwide. The Central Council of Health and Family Welfare, established under Article 263 of the Constitution, serves as the apex advisory body of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
This conference plays a crucial role in promoting cooperative federalism in the health sector. It facilitates dialogue and policy consultations between the government and states on matters of national significance. Additionally, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has proposed relaxing the shelf-life requirement for imported drugs to a minimum of 12 months at the time of import.
