Health and Family Welfare Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda today said that the National Commission for Women (NCW) has served as a watchdog, ensuring women’s safety and promoting their rights. Speaking at the NCW’s 34th Foundation Day Celebrations in New Delhi, Mr Nadda said that both physical and mental well-being are important aspects of women’s empowerment. The Minister said that a major paradigm shift has taken place in the health sector. He stated that in the 2017 Health Policy, the government moved from a curative approach to a comprehensive one, with a strong focus on preventive healthcare. Mr Nadda further stated that over 1 lakh eighty-one thousand Ayushman Arogya Mandirs have been made functional across the country, with maternal and child healthcare given top priority.

He informed that since 2016, more than 7.25 crore women have benefited from antenatal check-ups, and institutional deliveries have also increased to 89% over the past decade. He reaffirmed that women-centric policies will continue to be a national priority.

Addressing the event, Women and Child Development Minister Annapurna Devi said that the commission has made continuous efforts towards women’s health, empowerment, and protection of constitutional rights. She highlighted that under the Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar initiative, nearly 7 crore women received health check-ups and essential medical care. Several initiatives, including a monthly Jagriti magazine, a book on empowering motherhood and a digital training module for Tere Mere Sapne Pre-Marital Communication Centres, were also launched during the event.