Prime Minister Narendra Modi today asserted that making treatment affordable in the country has been the highest priority of the government. He said the focus is on the maximum use of technology in the health sector as the role of technology is continuously increasing in making healthcare affordable and accessible.
Mr. Modi stated this while addressing the post-Budget webinar on Health and Medical Research. He said the Centre has not confined healthcare to the Health Ministry only, but has emphasized on the whole of the government approach.
He informed that over 260 medical colleges have been opened in the past years while the number of medical seats has doubled after 2014. He added that the opening of 157 new nursing colleges near medical colleges is a big step for medical human resources.
The Prime Minister said the Ayushman Bharat scheme has saved 80 thousand crores from being spent. He also said, special emphasis has been given to the nursing sector in this year’s Union Budget to fulfil the future requirements. Mr. Modi highlighted that the government is focusing on developing test facilities near citizens’ homes, and better facilities for first aid.
Talking about COVID-19, he said the way India’s pharma sector has gained trust of the whole world during the pandemic is unprecedented. He said the pandemic has taught that supply chain has become a very important matter.
The Prime Minister also noted that the government is constantly trying to minimize India’s dependence on foreign countries in the health sector. He urged all the stakeholders of the health sector, especially of the Ayurveda, to strengthen the evidence-based research.