Politics Will Not Come In Way Of Health Policy: Harsh Vardhan

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan today said that politics would not affect the health programme and policies of the country.

"For the health of the nation, the health of government departments needs to be improved. I will not let politics to interfere in the health of the country," said Vardhan while launching a music video on child health and immunisation.

The health minister said that he had fostered close friendships with the state governments and state health ministers.

"In my own modest ways, I am visiting the state governments and we have told all of them that government can be of any party, but we will not allow any kind of politics to affect and interfere the health programmes and policies. Health should have equal importance for all and it is for the people," he said.

Vardhan said that it is a "national shame" that 14 lakh children die before the age of five.

"It is a shame for any government where a pregnant mother thinks it to be a curse to be pregnant rather than to be a boon. To change this reality, the government needs the collective energy of the people, and should not rely on the government machinery," Vardhan said.

"Let's make a pledge here to become 'health sainiks' and each of us would strive to inspire other ordinary people to become health volunteers to work for a healthy nation," he said.