J P Nadda Returns as Health Minister in Modi 3.0 Cabinet

After Nadda's departure, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya became Health Minister. Now, Nadda has superseded Mandaviya to reassume the health portfolio.

After serving as the national president of the Bharatiya Janata Party for over four years, JP Nadda has been appointed Union Health Minister. He will also lead the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, which includes the Department of Pharmaceuticals.

This announcement was made on Monday, a day after he took the oath as a cabinet minister in PM Narendra Modi's government.

Nadda, 63, had stepped down from the health ministry in 2019, just before the pandemic, to manage party affairs.

After Nadda's departure, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya became Health Minister. Now, Nadda has superseded Mandaviya to reassume the health portfolio.

Nadda’s Political Trajectory

JP Nadda, a Bihar-born politician who hails from Himachal Pradesh, is a lawyer and a key decision-maker in the BJP.

The close aide to PM Modi has been serving as BJP president since 2020. He is also a Rajya Sabha member from Gujarat.

Nadda previously held the health portfolio during Modi's first term. In 2019, he became the BJP's working president and was elevated to full-fledged president in January 2020, succeeding Amit Shah, who had been appointed Union Home Minister.

Following the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Nadda's leadership was solidified as he transitioned to his role as party president.

Although Nadda's term as BJP president ended in January, he was granted a six-month extension to oversee preparations for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, with his term now concluding in June.

Nadda's return to the health ministry has sparked speculation that the BJP may soon appoint a new president.

Key Initiatives as Health Minister

In his previous term as Health Minister, JP Nadda launched “Mission Indradhanush,” aimed at vaccinating children by 2020 who were unvaccinated or partially vaccinated against seven major diseases including diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, tuberculosis, measles, and hepatitis B.

The program targeted specific districts with low immunization rates to improve coverage.

Additionally, President Nadda initiated the “Rashtriya Swasthya Swayamsevak Abhiyan,” a health volunteers program designed to prepare health volunteers ahead of a potential third wave of COVID-19.

Nadda's Agenda as Health Minister

As JP Nadda resumes his role as Health Minister, all eyes are on his approach towards the HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) vaccination program, soon to be integrated into the universal immunization scheme, crucial in combating cervical cancer among women.

Additionally, the government's focus on boosting the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) is anticipated, with Nadda expected to drive its implementation forward.

However, Nadda may face immediate challenges, notably the implementation of the revised Schedule M aimed at enhancing pharmaceutical quality systems, amidst reports of substandard drugs exported by Indian companies.

Further, close collaboration with the pharmaceutical industry is imperative for enforcing the Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices, 2024, which aims to curtail unethical drug marketing practices.

As Nadda shoulders these responsibilities, the trajectory of his term and its impact remain to be seen.