As a new year dawns, public health is under tremendous pressure globally, due to multiple strife-hit regions. Immunisation and other public health programmes have faced setbacks, with healthcare workers unable to reach children or treat adults in need of medical aid in war zones.
In India, all eyes will be on the Centre’s campaign to end tuberculosis in 2025. The other programmes that will roll out more definitively include health insurance for the elderly through the Centre’s Ayushman Bharat programme. Separately, the pharmaceutical sector will be closely watching the policies of the new government under President-elect Donald Trump in the US, a key export market for the domestic industry.