On the 9th Ayurveda Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated an array of healthcare projects valued at approximately Rs 12,850 crore at the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) in New Delhi. Flanked by Union Ministers JP Nadda and Mansukh Mandaviya, the Prime Minister emphasized India’s commitment to expanding healthcare access, particularly for senior citizens, and enhancing healthcare infrastructure nationwide.
In a significant expansion of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), PM Modi announced health coverage for all senior citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of income. This marks a notable step in providing universal healthcare access to elderly citizens across India.
Strengthening Healthcare Infrastructure Nationwide
The Prime Minister inaugurated and laid foundation stones for multiple healthcare facilities, including the second phase of the All India Institute of Ayurveda. This new phase introduces a Panchakarma hospital, Ayurvedic pharmacy, sports medicine unit, central library, incubation center, and a 500-seat auditorium. Additionally, he launched three new medical colleges in Mandsaur, Neemuch, and Seoni in Madhya Pradesh, and expanded services at various AIIMS across the country, including locations in Bilaspur, Kalyani, Patna, Gorakhpur, Bhopal, and Guwahati.
PM Modi also inaugurated a Super Speciality Block at Bilaspur’s Government Medical College in Chhattisgarh, and a Critical Care Block in Bargarh, Odisha. He laid foundation stones for five Nursing Colleges in Madhya Pradesh and announced the construction of 21 Critical Care Blocks across Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Manipur, Tamil Nadu, and Rajasthan under the Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM).
ESIC Hospitals and Drone Services to Enhance Healthcare Accessibility
New ESIC hospitals were launched in Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka, with foundation stones for facilities in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh, benefiting 55 lakh ESI beneficiaries. Drone services for rapid medical delivery were also introduced at 11 Tertiary Healthcare Institutions, including AIIMS Rishikesh, AIIMS Bibinagar, and AIIMS Bhopal, while AIIMS Rishikesh will now offer Helicopter Emergency Medical Services.
In a push towards digital healthcare, the Prime Minister launched the U-WIN portal to streamline vaccination for pregnant women and infants. He also inaugurated the “Desh Ka Prakriti Parikshan Abhiyan” campaign to foster health awareness, alongside a State-Specific Action Plan on Climate Change and Human Health for climate-resilient healthcare.
The projects reflect PM Modi’s emphasis on leveraging technology and infrastructure to improve India’s healthcare system, ensuring quality services across regions and demographics.
