The Sri Lankan government Wednesday launched a public health program to alleviate the malnutrition in the country and control the no-communicable diseases among the country's population.

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa launching the "Mihi Meth Suwa Sara" program at the Temple Trees today said the government targets to build a healthy nation of sound mind and body and will provide the necessary strength through quality health service while developing the country as a whole.

Bangladesh Health Watch Report has emphasised undertaking the system of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) to ensure health rights of the citizens by addressing the healthcare financing challenges.
The report titled 'Bangladesh Health Watch Report-2011: Moving towards Universal Coverage' was launched in Dhaka Monday.
Finance Minister AMA Muhith formally launched the report. Health and Family Minister AFM Ruhal Haque spoke as special guest while Nobel Laureate Prof Amartya Sen was the gust of honor in the report launching ceremony held at Brac Centre.

Thirteen drug companies, the governments of the United States, Britain and the United Arab Emirates, the World Bank, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Lions Club and other smaller charitable organizations on Monday announced a joint effort to tackle 10 neglected tropical diseases in a coordinated fashion.

In the midst of round-the-clock meetings between the rich and powerful at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting here, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation on Thursday committed $750 million to fighting AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria in developing countries.

The foundation is providing the money to The Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria through a promissory note, Co-Chair, Mr Bill Gates, said.

“These are tough economic times, but that is no excuse for cutting aid to the world's poorest,” he added.

The Rajiv Gandhi Jeevandayee Arogya Yojana, which was launched in eight districts of the Maharashtra, will cover the State in a phased manner, the Chief Minister, Mr Prithviraj Chavan, said.

“People having an annual income of less than Rs 1 lakh will be given medical treatment up to a cost of Rs 1.5 lakh for free,” he said at a function held recently.

The scheme, which focuses on assistance and efficient service to the beneficiaries, was launched in the eight district in the first phase.