Photo Source: PIB
Wellness is not the mere absence of disease; focus must shift to preventive healthcare: Dr. Jitendra Singh
Babushahi Bureau/PIB
New Delhi, September 25, 2026: India needs to move beyond treating illnesses and place greater emphasis on preventive healthcare, early detection, and physical and mental well-being, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Dr. Jitendra Singh said on Friday.
Addressing the Health & Wellness Summit 2026, Singh said wellness should not be viewed merely as the absence of disease. He said India's understanding of health had broadened over the past decade, with greater attention to preventive healthcare, Ayurveda, Yoga and wellness centres alongside modern medical services.
The Minister said rising life expectancy had also changed India's health challenges. While average life expectancy at the time of Independence was around 45 years, people were now living considerably longer, with cardiovascular diseases, Type 2 diabetes and other lifestyle-related non-communicable diseases becoming increasingly prominent.
He said the next phase of healthcare should focus more on prevention, early diagnosis and maintaining well-being instead of depending primarily on treatment after an illness develops.
Singh said the government had expanded access to healthcare through initiatives including Ayushman Bharat and increased medical education, while also focusing on preventive and grassroots interventions.
He highlighted the role of science and technology in developing affordable and accessible healthcare solutions suited to local needs. According to Singh, translational research involving medicine, science, technology and industry could help take innovations such as affordable diagnostics, biosensors and drug-delivery technologies to larger populations.
Referring to India's response to COVID-19, Singh said Indian laboratories had rapidly isolated and sequenced the SARS-CoV-2 genome, contributing to the development of indigenous vaccines.
He also highlighted the importance of early screening for inherited disorders among newborns and pregnant women. He cited the UMMID (Unique Methods of Management and Treatment of Inherited Disorders) programme as an example of how scientific capabilities could support early detection and preventive healthcare.
Singh said India's health priorities would need to evolve with its changing demographic and disease profile. He stressed that longer life expectancy should be accompanied by better physical and mental well-being.
He called for continued collaboration among medical professionals, researchers, industry and other stakeholders to develop practical and affordable solutions to emerging health challenges.