Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone and dedicated to the nation projects worth more than
₹ 3,400 cr in the health care sector in Guwahati during his visit to Assam on April 14.
PM Modi dedicated AIIMS Guwahati and three other medical colleges to the nation. He also laid the foundation stone of Assam Advanced Health Care Innovation Institute (AAHII) and launched ‘Aapke Dwar Ayushman’ campaign by distributing Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) cards to eligible beneficiaries.
Addressing a gathering at the inaugural ceremony of AIIMS, Guwahati at Changsari in Kamrup district, the Prime Minister remarked that health infrastructure of Assam and the North East has found a new strength after the setting up of AIIMS and three new medical colleges.
He said that the foundation stone for a 500-bed super speciality hospital has also been laid for advanced research in collaboration with IIT Guwahati. He also noted that work is underway in a mission mode to distribute Ayushman cards to millions in Assam.
Mr Modi said that along with physical infrastructure, social infrastructure has also received a massive boost in the region with expansion in education and health facilities. He referred to the support to medical facilities and, in turn, to patients from the ever-improving rail-road connectivity in the region.
PM Modi expressed happiness that the people of North East have taken charge of their destiny and development. “We are moving forward with the mantra of India’s development through the development of the North East. In this movement, the Central Government is accompanying as a friend and servant,” the Prime Minister said.
He informed the gathering that in the last few years his Government started work on 15 such AIIMS wherein treatments and courses have also begun.
Highlighting the developments in the field of medical infrastructure, the Prime Minister said that approximately 300 medical colleges have become functional in the last nine years compared to only 150 medical colleges between 2004-2014. He added that the number of MBBS seats in the country has doubled to around a lakh in the last nine years, while seats in postgraduation have risen by 110%.
In the North East, the Prime Minister said, the number of medical colleges along with the number of seats has doubled since 2014.
Reflecting on the successes of the Government schemes, PM Modi said, “Our Government is modernising India’s health sector according to the needs of the 21st century.” He listed Ayushman Bharat Digital Health Mission and Digital Health ID as the two projects meant to improve hospital services. Noting the growing popularity of e-Sanjeevini, the Prime Minister informed the gaterhing that 10 crore e-consultation through the scheme have been achieved.
“The biggest basis for change in India’s healthcare system is Sabka Prayas (everyone’s effort),” Mr Modi said. He recalled the spirit of “Sabka Prayas” during the Corona pandemic and said that the entire world is praising the world’s biggest, fastest, and most effective Covid vaccination campaign.
Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr Bharati Pawar and Ministers from Government of Assam were present on the occasion, among others.
The Prime Minister also dedicated to the nation three medical colleges: Nalbari Medical College, Nalbari; Nagaon Medical College, Nagaon; and Kokrajhar Medical College, Kokrajhar, built at a cost of ₹ 615 cr, ₹ 600 cr and ₹ 535 cr respectively. Each medical college has an attached 500-bed teaching hospital with OPD/IPD services, including emergency services, ICU facilities, OT and diagnostic facilities, etc. Each medical college will have an annual intake capacity of 100 MBBS students.
