Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the post Budget webinar on health sector in New Delhi on February 26, 2022. (Photo/PIB)
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 26, 2022, said that India is focussed not only on health, but equally on wellness.
He was speaking after inaugurating the post Union Budget webinar of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
The Prime Minister said that the Budget builds upon the efforts to reform and transform the healthcare sector that have been undertaken during the last seven years.
“We have adopted a holistic approach in our healthcare system. Today our focus is not only on health, but equally on wellness.”
The Prime Minister elaborated on three factors that underline the efforts of making the health sector holistic and inclusive.
Firstly, expansion of modern medical science related infrastructure and human resources. Secondly, promotion of research in the traditional Indian medical systems like Ayush and their active engagement in the healthcare system. Thirdly, providing affordable healthcare to every citizen and every region of the country via modern and futuristic technology.
“It is our endeavor that critical healthcare facilities should be at the block level, at the district level, near the villages. This infrastructure needs to be maintained and upgraded from time to time. For this, the private sector and other sectors will also have to come forward with more energy,” PM Modi said.
The Prime Minister informed that in order to strengthen the primary healthcare network, work on 1.5 lakh Health and Wellness Centers is also progressing at a brisk pace.
“Till now more than 85000 centers are providing the facility of routine check-up, vaccination and tests. In this budget, the facility of mental healthcare has also been added to them.”
PM Modi said that in order to meet the increasing demand of healthcare services, a significant hike is made in the budget for health education and human resource development related to healthcare as compared to last year.
He said CoWin has established India’s reputation in the world with regard to digital health solutions.
“Ayushman Bharat Digital Health Mission provides an easy interface between the consumer and healthcare provider. With this, both getting and giving treatment in the country will become very easy. Not only this, it will also facilitate global access to India’s quality and affordable healthcare system.”
The Prime Minister noted the growing global acceptance of AYUSH and exuded pride in the fact that the World Health Organisation (WHO) is going to start its only Global Center of Traditional Medicine in India.
He also talked about positive role of remote healthcare and telemedicine during the pandemic.
He stressed the role of these technologies in reducing health access divide between urban and rural India.
Mentioning the upcoming 5G network and optical fiber network project for every village, PM Modi asked the private sector to come forward to increase their partnership.
He also emphasised the promotion of drone technology for medical purposes.
This was the fifth webinar in the series of post budget webinars addressed by the Prime Minister. Union Ministers, healthcare professionals from public and private sectors, and professionals from para-medics, nursing, health management, technology and research joined the webinar. (Press Release)
