Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda on Wednesday visited the newly inaugurated building of the World Health Organization’s South-East Asia Regional Office (WHO SEARO) in the national capital, reaffirming India’s strong commitment to regional and global health cooperation.

During his interaction with health ministers and senior representatives from countries of the South-East Asia Region, Nadda stressed that public health challenges transcend national borders and can only be addressed through collective, coordinated and sustained action. He underlined that India remains firmly committed to working with its neighbours and global partners to strengthen health systems and improve health outcomes across the region.

Describing the new WHO SEARO building as more than just an infrastructure project, the Union Minister said it symbolises the shared aspirations and collective resolve of countries in the South-East Asia Region. He noted that the facility reflects a spirit of partnership and solidarity aimed at advancing public health and well-being for nearly half a billion people across the region.

WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who was also present on the occasion, called the SEARO building a powerful symbol of shared purpose and collective commitment to serving humanity. He expressed his gratitude to the Government of India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for hosting the regional office, stating that the new facility stands as a testament to the enduring and trusted partnership between WHO and India in advancing public health at both regional and global levels.

The event saw the participation of Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare and AYUSH Prataprao Jadhav, senior Union Government officials, delegates from WHO South-East Asia Region Member States, researchers and representatives of various international organisations, underscoring the importance of regional collaboration in addressing evolving public health challenges.