New Delhi, June 30 (IANS): Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda on Tuesday sought the participation of the private sector in the government's efforts to provide accessible, affordable and cost-effective healthcare to the citizens.

"There is a need for the private sector to boost up their contribution towards government's role towards providing accessible and cost-effective healthcare to the people," said Nadda delivering the keynote address at the Health and Immunisation Conference organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

Adding that strengthening the health sector was among the biggest priority of the government, he said that National Health Mission (NHM), aimed at boosting healthcare in rural parts of India with a particular emphasis on poor and vulnerable sections of the population.

He said reducing maternal and child mortality were the foremost goals of NHM, which has significantly fostered plans for child health in decentralised manner up-to district level.

Talking about the Mission Indradhanush immunisation programme, Nadda also stated that it has been able to fill in the gap in fully immunising children who have been left unvaccinated or are partially vaccinated.

Emphasising the role of the private sector, Nadda said they can play an important role in strengthening the supply management system in the country.

He stated that during the Indradhanush immunization rounds, 56.6 lakh children have been vaccinated and a total of 14.4 lakh children were fully vaccinated. Also, a total of 15.7 lakh pregnant women were vaccinated with tetanus toxoid vaccine during these three rounds.