Every district in UP will get a medical college: CM Yogi Adityanath

Lucknow: Every district in the state will soon have its medical college to provide accessible healthcare facilities to people in the state, said Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath while distributing 'Ayushman' cards to 'Antyodaya' card holders under 'Mukhyamantri Jan Arogya Abhiyan'.

"To provide proper medical treatment and healthcare facilities to every needy in the state, the government has worked in a planned and phased manner to improve the existing healthcare system and expand the health infrastructure in the state," the CM said during an event held here on Monday.

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Stating that the government's entire emphasis lies on strengthening the health facilities, Adityanath said, "From 1947 to 2016, there were only 15 medical colleges in the state. Now, 49 medical colleges are underway. As many as 16 are being built on the PPP model. On completion of five years, every district will have its own medical college."

He went on to say, "from 1947 to 2000, there was only one AIIMS (in Delhi). Between 2000-2004, six AIIMS were brought in during Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA government. Today, the construction of 22 AIIMS is underway under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi. This reflects the dedicated efforts of our Prime Minister in improving the healthcare services in the country which were in shambles under previous governments."

The Chief Minister further said that as a result of team-work and sustained efforts, the state has emerged successful in fighting against diseases like Japanese encephalitis and Covid-19.

"By ensuring cleanliness, sanitisation, provision of pure drinking water and hygiene, the government worked towards eradication of diseases. Resultantly, encephalitis has been eliminated from the 38 districts of UP," he said.

During the event, the Chief Minister handed over the Ayushman health cards to as many as 15 beneficiaries under the 'Mukhyamantri' Jan Arogya Abhiyan in a symbolic manner and simultaneously throughout the state 1,00,000 beneficiaries received 'Ayushman' cards through public representatives. The 'Ayushman' cards will be distributed to over 40.79 lakh Antyodaya ration card holder families in various districts of the state. Under this, over 1.30 crore people will be provided a health cover of Rs 5 lakh per family per year.

Besides, Uttar Pradesh also became the first state to distribute Ayushman cards to over 1 lakh people in a single day in all the districts and blocks of the state, according to a state government statement.

With inclusion of 40,00,000 Antyodaya card families in the Mukhyamantri Jan Arogya scheme, the total coverage of the population covered under the scheme has jumped from 24 per cent to 37 per cent. This will not only provide healthcare to the needy but also will greatly help the state in achieving the SDG goal 1 and 3 (alleviation of poverty and health for all).

The scheme has been welcomed with wide arms by the public which is depicted by the fact that within 10 days of integration of data, 400000 requests for cards were received and despite some issue with the software two lakh cards have already been approved and generated, the statement added.

Medical Education Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna, Medical Health and Family Welfare Minister Jai Pratap Singh, member of NITI Aayog, Dr Vinod Paul, Minister of State for Medical and Health Family Welfare Atul Garg and other senior officials (members of Team-9 and 11) remained present on the occasion.

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