Use of Indian languages key in improving reach of healthcare services: Nadda

Union Health Minister J P Nadda emphasized the importance of using Hindi and other Indian languages in the healthcare sector to improve outreach and service delivery. At the second meeting of the Hindi Advisory Committee, Nadda highlighted that the country is moving towards embracing Indian languages, strengthening Indianness, and rejecting Western influence. He directed a review of official-language posts under the ministry and urged officials to submit a list of vacant positions to the Finance Ministry for action.

Nadda suggested organizing a short one-week training course for officials and employees to work in Hindi, with a clear schedule of activities. At least half of the articles published in ministry journals should be in Hindi, and the use of Hindi in bulletins should be increased. He referred to the medical education experiment in Hindi at Bhopal Medical College and suggested members of the committee study the initiative to replicate it in other institutions.

Nadda proposed a coordinated daily program for Hindi Fortnight to effectively promote the language without disrupting regular work. He suggested expanding the Hindi vocabulary to make it practical, understandable, and easily assimilated into daily use. During the meeting, appreciation certificates were given to personnel who worked extensively in Hindi, and the book "Aish Shabd Sanket" was released.

The committee, headed by the Union Health Minister, aims to promote Hindi as the official language, making health facilities and information accessible to people in their native language.