Health Minister Harsh Vardhan leaves for US

Union Health Minister, Dr Harsh Vardhan, left for the United States this morning on a five-day visit to the United States.

An official statement said that this will Dr. Harsh Vardhan's first official tour abroad since assuming office on May 27, 2014.

Before leaving for United States, Dr.Harsh Vardhan called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to brief him on the interlocutors and the agenda of his meetings with them.

Dr Harsh Vardhan will meet Ms Sylvia Mathews Burwell, the newly appointed US Secretary of Health and Human Services, on the morning of June 24 (local time, Washington D.C.). The purpose of the meeting would be to evaluate the progress of the U.S.-India Health Initiative which was launched in 2010.

"We are on the threshold of exciting possibilities. I am looking forward to talks seeking collaboration on global health security, telehealth and preventive healthcare," Dr. Harsh Vardhan said.

Later in the day, he would hold meetings with Dr Rajiv Shah, Administrator, Dr. Ariel Pablos Mendez Assistant Administrator and Ms Denise Rollins, Assistant Administrator, of United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

This meeting will see discussions on steps to consolidate the collaboration that exists between the Indian government, USAID, UNICEF and other lead partners in creating an AIDS-free generation. It also aims to achieve a TB-free India and reaching Universal Health Coverage (UHC).