Prime Minister Mr. Narendrabhai Modi today termed the foundation stone laying of Rajkot AIIMS as an addition of another link to strengthen nation’s internal health infrastructure that would provide a new boost to the health services of Gujarat as well as the country. The Prime Minister had virtually laid foundation stone of the AIIMS-Rajkot at Rajkot.
The event was also digitally attended by Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan.
Terming the year 2020 as a ‘challenging year for health’, the Prime Minister categorically stated that the year 2021 would be ‘Health Solution Year’. He also pointed out that India is going to make significant contributions in both ‘Future of Health’ and ‘Health of Future’ sectors.
Praising the ‘Corona Warriors’, the Prime Minister further stated that due to united fight given by the people of India, we were able to strongly fight against the Corona. During this difficult Corona times by successfully providing health and medical treatments to over 1-Crore Corona-positive patients, we have showed to the world that India is a frontline nation in the health sector.
Mr. Modi pointed out that previously the poor parents were refraining from availing the costly health treatments to avoid debt-trap, but, the Government of India’s ‘Ayushman Bharat Yojana’ has acted as a ‘Health Shield’ blessing for them. So far, under this scheme over 1.5-crore citizens have had availed free medical treatment for up to Rs. 500,000/-. As a result they had managed to save handsome amount of Rs. 30,000-Crore. Besides this, more than 7,000 ‘Jan Ausadhi Kendra’ spread across the nation had saved Rs. 3,600-Crore of these patients. The mortality ratio has gone down remarkably due to various schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Matruvandana Yojana, Poshan Yojana and others.
Saying that the health sector has been working in ‘Mission Mode’, Mr. Modi stated that the Central Government is determined to setup one AIIMS in every state and one medical college among three Lok Sabha constituencies.
The Prime Minister also urged to every citizen to join into ‘Fit India Abhiyan’. He also stated that the ‘Corona vaccination’ programme is going on in full swing across the country and had urged every citizen to cooperate into it.
Speaking on the occasion, Gujarat Governor Shri Acharya Devvratji said that the AIIMS-Rajkot would become a cornerstone for the health of people of Gujarat. He also expressed a hope that this institution would grow rapidly to offer its services to the people.
He further stated that the AIIMS would give happiness to people of Gujarat at par with happiness they got with Narmada waters.
Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said that it was due to the farsightedness of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that Gujarat got an AIIMS to ensure people need not go out of the state for treatment of serious diseases. The nation’s best health service in super sociality is now made available at Rajkot, a crowning glory, besides promoting medical tourism.
Mr. Rupani recalled that Gujarat faced injustice since 1956 but Mr. Modi ensured the state got AIIMS, as part of all round development of the nation, besides 30 medical colleges – plan is to have one in each district. The number of medical colleges in the state have increased from nine to 30 and seats from 1,000 to over 6,000.
Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitinbhai Patel said that people residing in neighboring states can also get benefit of AIIMS at Rajkot. He said the districts like Godhra, Navsari, Morbi and Rajpipla have also been granted medical colleges.
Akhil Bharatiya Ayurvigyan Sanastha Director Dr P.K. Dave delivered virtual welcome address. Member of Parliament Mohanbhai Kundaria thanked the Prime Minister for laying the foundation stone of 21st AIIMS at Rajkot.
While Prime Minister performed the groundbreaking ceremony of the institute through remote control, a documentary on the construction was screened on the occasion.
Chief Secretary Anil Mukim and Principal Health Secretary Jayanti Ravi were there.
Prominent among those present on the occasion included Vidhan Sabha Speaker Rajendra Trivedi, Members of Parliament C.R. Patil, Poonamben Madam, Rajeshbhai Chudasama, MLAs Govindbhai Patel, Lakhabhai Sagathia, Arvindbhai Raiyyani, former mayor Binaben Acharya, Municipal Finance Board Chairman Dhansukhbhai Bhanderi, BJP city unit president Kamlesh Mirani, Nitinbhai Bharadwaj, Anjaliben Rupani, Collector Remya Mohan, Police Commissioner Manoj Agrawal and Municipal Commissioner Udit Agrawal.
