Health Minister inaugurates series of new facilities at AIIMS

New Delhi: Towards propelling healthcare excellence in India, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare dedicated new state-of-the-art facilities at AIIMS New Delhi to the nation today.

The new facilities inaugurated today are Mother and Child Block, Surgical block, National Centre for Geriatrics, New Paid Ward in Main hospital; Center for Advanced Research in Hospital Infection Control and Forensic DNA Laboratory at JPN Apex Trauma Centre and Centre for Medical Innovation & Entrepreneurship (CMIE) and Private Ward Wing at National Cancer Institute (NCI), Jhajjar to the nation today.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Mandaviya praised AIIMS New Delhi as “a lighthouse, setting conventions and principles that the entire country follows”. He said that “the outstanding reputation of AIIMS is a testament to the commitment and enthusiasm exhibited by the dedicated doctors working here.” He informed that “these new facilities have been inaugurated today with the aim to improve healthcare service for the common people. The objective is to ensure that access to quality and affordable healthcare reaches the last mile of the people.”

Elaborating on the government’s initiative towards bringing about a transformation in healthcare in India, the Union Health Minister highlighted the establishment of 1,70,000 Ayushman Aarogya Mandir is an endeavour towards the same direction. “These health and wellness centres have also been provided with tele-consultation facilities, saving time, effort and resources for the common man”, he said.

He further stated that “recently the 10,000th Jan Aushadi Kendra was launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister. The number of medical colleges have more than doubled in the last 9 years. Similarly the number of MBBS, PG and nursing seats have also increased at an unprecedented rate in a span of less than 10 years”.

Dr Mandaviya said that India is also promoting its quality and affordable healthcare service to the world. “The ‘Heal in India’ and ‘Heal by India’ initiatives have been launched to tap into the fast-growing medical tourism sector in the world”, he stated.

Appreciating the commitment of Indian healthcare professionals towards providing sewa or service to humanity, the Union Minister said that this tradition is rooted in our age-old culture which is now recognised by the world.

He said, “the COVID crisis has shown the world not only India’s strengths in medical and pharmaceutical sector but also its values of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’. This was on display when India continued to supply critical medicines to the world without escalating the prices, even when there was a global shortage of medicines”.