Date: 2026-05-18Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
Union Health Secretary Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava Addresses Diamond Jubilee Valedictory Function of HLL Lifecare Limited, Commemorating Six Decades of Distinguished Service to the Nation
**Executive Summary**
On May 18, 2026, Union Health Secretary Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava addressed the Diamond Jubilee Valedictory Function of HLL Lifecare Limited in Thiruvananthapuram, marking 60 years of the organization's service to public health. The event highlighted HLL’s role in affordable healthcare through the AMRIT pharmacy network and commemorated its crisis response efforts, such as Operation Sindoor. Key actions included the signing of research MoUs with IIT Bombay and IIT Madras and the inauguration of an upgraded menstrual cup manufacturing facility.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Historical and Crisis Contributions**
* Established in 1966, HLL has evolved from supporting the National Family Planning Programme to providing diagnostics, infrastructure development, and social marketing.
* The organization demonstrated operational readiness during "Operation Sindoor" by delivering medical equipment, BHISHM cubes, and medicines to Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab.
**Affordable Healthcare Initiatives**
* The AMRIT (Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment) Pharmacy network provides critical medicines, including cancer drugs and medical devices, at 50% lower than market rates.
* HLL continues to support the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana to enhance nationwide access to affordable medicines.
**Strategic Partnerships and Innovation**
* Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed with IIT Bombay and IIT Madras to foster collaborative research and accelerate indigenous healthcare technologies.
* An upgraded menstrual cup manufacturing facility was inaugurated at the Akkulam Unit to promote sustainable menstrual hygiene and indigenous manufacturing.
**New Product and Service Launches**
* **Hydrocephalus Shunt:** Relaunched to support specialized medical needs.
* **HLL Parivarthan Wellness Clinic:** A new service initiative for holistic health.
* **Sustainable Products:** Introduction of HLL Water and ‘Happy Days’ Compostable Sanitary Napkins to focus on accessibility and environmental sustainability.
* **Commemorative Milestone:** A special coin was released to mark six decades of HLL’s service as a leading public sector enterprise.
**Impact Analysis**
**Patients and Families**
**Impact**
Patients benefit from a 50% reduction in the cost of critical medications and medical devices, significantly reducing the financial burden of treatments like cancer care.
**Action Required**
Patients and their families can access these subsidized treatments through the expanded AMRIT pharmacy network and the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana.
**HLL Lifecare Limited**
**Impact**
The organization is reaffirmed as a key strategic partner for the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, with expanded manufacturing capabilities and a strengthened research portfolio.
**Action Required**
HLL must execute the research collaborations with IIT Bombay and IIT Madras and scale production at the newly upgraded manufacturing facilities.
**Women**
**Impact**
Women gain improved access to affordable, environmentally sustainable menstrual hygiene solutions through the new menstrual cup facility and compostable sanitary napkins.
**Action Required**
Beneficiaries are encouraged to utilize these newly launched sustainable hygiene products to support personal health and environmental goals.
**Academic and Research Institutions (IIT Bombay & IIT Madras)**
**Impact**
These institutions are now integrated into the national public health framework through formal research and development partnerships.
**Action Required**
Collaborate with HLL to develop and accelerate the deployment of cutting-edge healthcare technologies tailored to India's specific public health needs.
Key Entities Referenced
HLL Lifecare Limited: A premier public sector healthcare enterprise under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, specializing in medical products, diagnostics, and infrastructure development.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare: The primary union ministry responsible for national health policy and the administrative oversight of HLL Lifecare Limited.
AMRIT (Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment): A flagship pharmacy network initiative providing critical medicines and medical devices at prices significantly lower than market rates.
Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana: A national scheme designed to enhance public access to high-quality generic medicines at affordable prices.
National Family Planning Programme: A foundational public health mission which HLL Lifecare Limited has historically supported through its early contributions and healthcare products.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Union Health Secretary Smt. Punya Salila
Srivastava Addresses Diamond Jubilee
Valedictory Function of HLL Lifecare Limited,
Commemorating Six Decades of Distinguished
Service to the Nation
HLL Lifecare Limited Advancing Inclusive, Affordable and
Quality Healthcare in Line with Hon’ble Prime Minister’s
Vision: Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava
HLL Lifecare Limited Demonstrates Exemplary Service During
Crises, Including Operation Sindoor: Union Health Secretary
HLL Lifecare Limited Signs MoUs with Indian Institute of
Technology Bombay and Indian Institute of Technology
Madras to Advance Healthcare Innovation and Research
Collaboration
Union Health Secretary Unveils Upgraded Menstrual Cup
Manufacturing Facility at HLL Lifecare Limited’s Akkulam Unit
in Thiruvananthapuram
Posted On: 18 MAY 2026 2:40PM by PIB Delhi
Union Health Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family welfare, Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava, addressed
the Diamond Jubilee Valedictory Function of HLL Lifecare Limited today in HLL Peroorkada Factory,
Thiruvananthapuram, marking the organisation’s 60 years of dedicated service in advancing public health
in India.
Established in 1966, HLL Lifecare Limited has played a pioneering role in supporting India’s public
health mission. From its early contributions to the National Family Planning Programme to its diversified
presence across healthcare products, diagnostics, infrastructure development, and social marketing, the
organisation has consistently demonstrated excellence, innovation, and commitment to public service.Addressing the gathering, Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava, Union Health Secretary, underscored the deep
trust reposed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in HLL Lifecare Limited, noting that the
organisation has consistently lived up to this confidence through its unwavering commitment to the vision
of the Hon’ble Prime Minister which is ensuring inclusive, affordable, and quality healthcare for all.
She commended HLL for its continuous evolution and responsiveness to emerging healthcare needs,
observing that the organisation has demonstrated a unique ability to identify critical gaps in the system and
address them through practical, impactful interventions. She emphasized that while such initiatives may
not always be revolutionary in scale, their cumulative impact, particularly in improving the lives of
women and patients, plays a transformative role in strengthening the nation’s healthcare framework.
Highlighting the Ministry’s confidence in HLL, she noted that this trust is further reflected in the strong
support and association of the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare with key initiatives such as
the AMRIT (Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment) Pharmacy network, which
recently marked a decade of service. She observed that such initiatives, alongside the Pradhan Mantri
Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana, have significantly enhanced access to affordable medicines across the
country.She further stated that the AMRIT Pharmacies have enabled the Ministry to ensure the availability of
critical medicines—including cancer drugs, branded medicines, and essential medical devices—at prices
50 percent lower than prevailing market rates, thereby providing tangible financial relief to patients and
their families.
Recalling HLL’s commendable role during times of crisis, Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava highlighted the
organisation’s swift and coordinated response during Operation Sindoor, wherein essential medical
equipment, BHISHM cubes, and medicines were promptly delivered to the states of Jammu and Kashmir
and Punjab. She noted that such efforts reflect HLL’s operational readiness, commitment, and capacity to
serve the nation in times of exigency.
She emphasized that the true measure of an institution lies in its ability to rise to challenges during critical
moments, and in this regard, HLL has set a benchmark in public service delivery.Concluding her remarks, she lauded the organisation for rendering its services with the highest standards
of transparency, integrity, and dedication, reaffirming the Ministry’s continued confidence in HLL
Lifecare Limited as a key partner in advancing India’s public health objectives.
A major highlight of the valedictory function was the release of a commemorative coin marking the
completion of six decades of HLL’s distinguished journey as one of India’s leading healthcare public
sector enterprises, symbolising its enduring legacy and national significance.
The event also witnessed the exchange of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between HLL Lifecare
Limited and premier institutions, including Indian Institute of Technology Bombay and Indian Institute of
Technology Madras, aimed at fostering collaborative research, advancing healthcare innovation, and
accelerating the development of cutting-edge technologies tailored to India’s public health needs.
Reinforcing its commitment to affordable healthcare solutions and social impact, HLL announced a series
of key product and service initiatives during the event. These included the relaunch of the Hydrocephalus
Shunt, the launch of the HLL Parivarthan Wellness Clinic, the introduction of HLL Water, and the rollout
of ‘Happy Days’ Compostable Sanitary Napkins—each reflecting the organisation’s continued focus on
accessibility, sustainability, and innovation-driven public health interventions.
The programme further featured the inauguration of the upgraded menstrual cup manufacturing facility at
HLL’s Akkulam Factory in Thiruvananthapuram by the Union Health Secretary. The upgraded facility
underscores HLL’s commitment to advancing women’s health, promoting environmentally sustainable
menstrual hygiene solutions, and strengthening indigenous manufacturing excellence in line with national
priorities.
During the occasion, Union Health Secretary Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava visited HLL Lifecare Limited’s
PFT and AFT facilities, where she was received by senior officials and briefed on key operations.She undertook detailed factory tours of both units, interacting with teams and reviewing manufacturing
processes, while appreciating HLL’s commitment to quality, efficiency, and indigenous production.
The event was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, leadership of
HLL Lifecare Limited, representatives from partner institutions, and distinguished stakeholders from the
public health and healthcare sectors.
***
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HFW- Union Health Secretary addresses Diamond Jubilee Valedictory Function of HLL Lifecare Limited
/18th May 2026/1
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