Rajkot: Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Rajkot via video conferencing. PM Modi said, “2020 taught us one thing and that’s ‘health is the only wealth’. It has been a year full of challenges. The preparation of the corona vaccine is now in the last phase. The new year is bringing hope for a cure.”
“In the new year, we are preparing to run the world’s largest vaccination program. He said for the first time that
even though the COVID-19 vaccines have been invented and will reach the public soon, people should still take the precautionary measures against the corona virus,” he added.
Important highlights of PM Modi’s speech
“Bidding farewell to this year with a new health infrastructure reflects the difficulties we faced and also stands for the hope we have for the year, PM Modi said. Commenting on 2021, the Prime Minister said that 2020 has been a year of medical challenges but 2021 will be a year of health solutions. It has been a year full of challenges. The year taught us that health is the only wealth.
He further added that the last day 2020 is dedicated to all the healthcare workers who have put their life at stake to keep the nation safe throughout the year.
“This is the last day of the year to remember India’s millions of doctors, health warriors, sanitation workers, drugstores, and other front line Corona Warriors. Today I salute the colleagues who have given their lives on the duty path,” PM Modi said.
This difficult year has shown how India took effective steps in such times with solidarity
Prime Minister Modi said that today the country is remembering those colleagues, scientists and employees who were engaged in preparing the necessary infrastructure in view of the corona. Today is a day of appreciation to all those who have worked to provide all facilities to the poor. The organized strength of the society is the result of its sensitivity that nobody even allowed the poor to go hungry at night. A difficult year showed that the greatest difficulty can be solved by solidarity.
2021 is going to be the year of health solutions
Commenting on the current corona virus situation, the Prime Minister remarked that this year showed that when India unites, it can effectively cope up with the most difficult crisis. He said India is in a much better position as a result of the effective steps and India’s record of saving victims of Corona has been much better than other countries. He said in India, every necessary preparation about the vaccine is going on. He said that efforts are in the final stages for making the vaccine made in India, rapidly reaching every nook and corner. He called to move forward together to make vaccination successful just the way last year we tried to prevent infection.
Work on 10 New AIIMS and construction of super speciality hospitals underway
PM Modi said AIIMS Rajkot will boost health infrastructure, medical education and provide employment opportunities in Gujarat. Lauding the efforts of Gujarat in fighting COVID, the Prime Minister said Gujarat has shown the path in fighting COVID. He credited the robust medical infrastructure in Gujarat, for Gujarat’s better handling of Corona challenge. He said two decades of relentless effort, dedication and resolve is behind this success of Gujarat in the medical sector.
The Prime Minister said even after so many decades after independence, only 6 AIIMS were established in the country. During Atal ji’s government in 2003, steps were taken to establish 6 more AIIMS. He added that in the last 6 years, work on 10 new AIIMS has started and many have been inaugurated. He said along with AIIMS, 20 Super Speciality Hospitals are also being constructed.
Health, Wellness Center for the poors
The Prime Minister emphasized that before 2014, different aspects of our health sector were working towards different directions and approaches. He said after 2014, the health sector has worked holistically and emphasis was on preventive care, while also giving priority to modern treatment facilities. He said that the Government reduced the cost of treating the poor and at the same time, also emphasized on increasing the number of doctors rapidly.
Over Rs 30,000 crore of poor people’s money has been saved due to Ayushman Bharat Yojana
The Prime Minister said that over Rs 30,000 crore of poor people’s money has been saved due to Ayushman Bharat Yojana. This scheme has freed the poor people of India from the struggles of good treatment due to lack of money.He further said about 7000 Jan Aushadhi Center provided medicines at low cost to about 3.5 lakh poor patients.Medicines here are up to 90% cheaper. He listed the initiatives of the Government for improving the health of the people.
Mantra for 2021
Speaking about the COVID-19 vaccines, PM Modi said that even though the COVID-19 vaccines have been invented and will reach the public soon, people should still take the precautionary measures against the corona virus which were shared earlier in the year, especially as the nation celebrates the New Year. “Earlier, I said, ‘Dawai (Medicine) nahi toh dheelai nahi’. Now, I am saying ‘Dawai bhi aur kadaai (caution) bhi’. Our mantra for the year 2021 is ‘Dawai bhi aur kadaai bhi’,” PM Modi stated. The Prime Minister also warned against rumours related to the corona virus and its vaccine.
1195 Crore to be spent on 750-bed AIIMS
The government has approved 201 acres for Rajkot AIIMS. It is estimated to cost Rs 1195 crore and is expected to be completed by mid-2022. The state-of-the-art 750-bed hospital will also have a 30-bed AYUSH block. It will have 125 MBBS seats and 60 nursing seats.