The Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Infrastructure Mission aims to address the critical gaps in health infrastructure and health research especially at District level, he explained…reports Asian Lite News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated 11 new medical colleges in Tamil Nadu and assured the state of another Rs 3,000 crore funding as part of his vision to develop quality and affordable healthcare in the country.
PM Modi also inaugurated the new building of the Central Institute of Classical Tamil. “Thus, we are furthering the health of our society and making the connect with our culture stronger,” he explained.
“In the coming years I envision India as being the go-to destination for quality and affordable care. India has everything needed to be a hub for medical tourism. I say this based on the skills of our doctors. I urge the medical fraternity to look at tele-medicine as well,” he said in a video conference.
The Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Infrastructure Mission aims to address the critical gaps in health infrastructure and health research especially at District level, he explained.
A support of over Rs 3,000 crore would be provided to Tamil Nadu in the next five years. This will help in establishing Urban Health and Wellness Centres, District Public Health labs and Critical Care Blocks across the state. The benefits of this for the people of Tamil Nadu will be immense, he added.
PM Modi said that medical education was one of the most desired streams for studies and the problem of shortage of doctors in India was well-known. But there were not enough efforts to address this problem. Perhaps vested interests also did not let previous governments take the right decisions, he added.
“In 2014, our country had 387 medical colleges. In last seven years only, this number has gone up to 596 medical colleges. This is an increase of 54 percent. In 2014, our country had around 82,000 medical Under Graduate and Post Graduate seats. In last seven years, this number has gone up to around 1, 48,000 seats. This is an increase of about 80 percent,” he pointed out.
PM Modi also said that in 2014, there were only seven AIIMS in the country. But after 2014, the number of AIIMS approved has increased to 22. At the same time, various reforms have been under-taken to make the medical education sector more transparent. Regulations for setting up medical colleges and hospitals have been liberalised without compromising on quality.
He also pointed out that this was the first time that 11 medical colleges were being inaugurated at one stroke located in any one State.
“Just few days back, I had inaugurated 9 medical colleges/ at the same time in Uttar Pradesh. So, I am getting to break my own record,” he quipped.
PM Modi said it is important to address regional imbalances. In that light, it is good to see two of the medical colleges inaugurated are in the aspirational districts of Ramanathapuram and Virudhunagar. These are districts where the development needs require special attention. One college is in the remote hilly district of the Nilgiris, he added.
The Prime Minister also said that the new building of the Central Institute of Classical Tamil will make Tamil studies more popular. It will also give a wider canvas to students and researchers. I am told that the Central Institute of Classical Tamil intends to translate Tirukkural in various Indian and foreign languages.
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