Union Health Minister JP Nadda inaugurated two new Government Medical Colleges in Sheopur and Singrauli, reaffirming the government’s commitment to improving access to medical education and healthcare in tribal and underserved regions. These colleges were established under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme with significant central funding.
On the same occasion, agreements were signed for the establishment of four new medical colleges in Madhya Pradesh under the PPP mode, supported by the Union Health Ministry. These partnerships aim to further strengthen the state’s medical infrastructure.
To enhance public health services, Nadda launched the ‘Ayushman Sakhi’ smart chatbot for easy access to health scheme information and began distribution of 8 lakh Vay Vandana PVC cards to senior citizens, providing them with seamless access to healthcare benefits.
The Swasthya Yakrit Mission (Healthy Liver Mission) reached a significant milestone with over 1 crore screenings, reinforcing preventive health efforts in line with the Fit India Movement. Additionally, the new ‘Asha Samvaad’ platform was launched to facilitate direct communication with over 70,000 ASHA workers, enhancing their support and training.
A revamped Mother and Child Protection (MCP) Card was introduced along with a maternal nutrition awareness campaign. The updated card allows for better tracking of health services, now enabling doctors to input vital data alongside frontline workers. Awareness posters on nutrition and maternal care were also released.
Nadda reiterated that under PM Modi’s leadership, India’s health policy focuses on a holistic system encompassing preventive, curative, palliative, and rehabilitative care. He noted the government’s emphasis on inclusive and equitable health services for all.
Madhya Pradesh now has 17 government and 13 private medical colleges, with plans to reach 26 government institutions. The Chief Minister, Dr Mohan Yadav, highlighted the government’s efforts in ensuring affordable land for new colleges under the PPP model and praised schemes like Ayushman Bharat for expanding healthcare access.
Nadda shared that institutional deliveries have increased to 89%, and India has seen a sharp drop in maternal and child mortality. The Maternal Mortality Ratio declined from 130 to 93 per lakh live births, and the Under-5 Mortality Rate reduced by 42%.
India has made remarkable strides in disease detection. Over 39 crore people were screened for hypertension and diabetes, and large-scale screenings were also conducted for oral, cervical, and breast cancers, showcasing the scale of the government’s preventive health efforts.
The Ayushman Bharat scheme now covers 50 crore beneficiaries, with added initiatives like Vay Vandana for senior citizens. Out-of-pocket healthcare spending has significantly declined from 62% to 39%, easing the financial burden on citizens.
India’s medical education infrastructure has expanded significantly—from 387 medical colleges in 2014 to 780 today. The number of UG medical seats has tripled, with plans to add another 75,000 UG and PG seats in five years. Introduction of NEET in 13 languages has widened opportunities for rural students.
Nadda also spoke about India’s swift development of two indigenous COVID-19 vaccines within 9 months and their distribution to over 100 countries through the Vaccine Maitri initiative, exemplifying India’s leadership in global health.
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
