Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said access to healthcare services is the right of every citizen. He made the remarks in Chandigarh while inaugurating projects worth ₹4,700 crore spanning healthcare, education and road infrastructure.
Linking public health with hygiene, the Prime Minister said the Swachh Bharat mission was launched to strengthen cleanliness across the country. He pointed to the construction of large numbers of toilets and campaigns aimed at ensuring cleanliness in public spaces and making hygiene a part of daily life.
On medical infrastructure, Modi said the country has rapidly expanded healthcare capacity since 2014. He noted that approvals were given for 15 new AIIMS institutions and that hundreds of new medical colleges have been set up, leading to an increase in MBBS and postgraduate medical seats.
He also said the number of specialised hospitals for serious illnesses such as cancer has increased, and that the Ayushman Bharat scheme was introduced to strengthen the health system at all levels. Referring to tuberculosis, he said the campaign for a TB-free India is underway, with timely testing and treatment, and cited a World Health Organization report stating TB incidence has fallen by 21% over the last 10 years.
Modi added that people from various countries now come to India for medical treatment. He said that during the COVID-19 pandemic, India did not seek help from other nations and instead extended assistance to the world.
