NAC discusses universal healthcare for people

New Delhi, Aug 24 (IANS) The Union health ministry Friday made a presentation before the Sonia Gandhi-led National Advisory Council (NAC) on providing universal healthcare to the citizens, said official sources.

According to NAC sources, Health Secretary P.K. Pradhan made a presentation based on a report of the high-level expert group of the Planning Commission on universal health coverage.

The group was chaired by Public Health Foundation of India president Srinath Reddy, who had earlier made a presentation before the advisory body in March.

The NAC also deliberated on the work in progress of various sub-groups on transparency, accountability and governance, pre-legislative processes and Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.

The development of northeastern region, skill development and placement of disadvantaged groups, development of particularly vulnerable Tribal groups and enhancing farm income for small land holders through market Integration were also discussed, said the sources.