Moving rapidly towards 1 Medical College in every district: UP CM Yogi

Lucknow: The state of Uttar Pradesh is moving rapidly towards establishing one medical college in very district. This was recently stated by the CM Yogi Adityanath.

According to a UNI report, he highlighted the rapid progress being made toward establishing one medical college per district in UP, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision. "For the first time, both the central and state governments are working to set up medical colleges under the PPP model," he said.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday said that eastern UP is now free from encephalitis, with the death toll reduced to zero adding that this achievement has been made possible through unwavering determination and the collective support of everyone involved, something that was once thought impossible.

Addressing the fourth Foundation Day celebration of Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences, the CM recalled that five years ago, the region was plagued by encephalitis, with an annual death toll ranging from 1,200 to 1,500 between July and November and Gorakhpur’s BRD Medical College alone accounting for 500 to 700 deaths.

He said that this crisis persisted for 40 years, resulting in the deaths of 50,000 children, while previous administrations failed to address it effectively. "Previous governments were mired in corruption instead of implementing the necessary measures. As an MP, I raised this issue extensively, which eventually led to action," he said.

During the event, he released the institute’s annual report, inaugurated a new building and honoured several professors, assistant professors, and Professor Jr by awarding medals and certificates.

The CM said that recent surveys conducted in eastern UP have confirmed that no child has died from encephalitis this year. He emphasised that these findings underscore the success of the government's efforts in eradicating the disease from the region.

He said that the region is now thriving, as a result of effective coordination and communication efforts. "Encephalitis has been completely eradicated, yet, unfortunately, no study or research paper has been written on this remarkable achievement, which stands as a model of success," he said.

Reflecting on the year 2020 Covid pandemic, Yogi explained that the experience gained from successfully combating encephalitis helped in forming Team 11, which played a crucial role in controlling the pandemic.

The CM said, "Within the next 5 to 7 years, the state will no longer face a shortage of doctors. With this initiative, all PHCs and CHCs will be staffed with doctors, and institutions like RML, SGPGI, and KGMU will have highly skilled specialists,” he said, quotes UNI

He stressed the importance of teamwork in achieving this vision and referred to RML as the gateway to UP and North India. He attributed these successes to positive thinking and collective effort.

Yogi explained that in the Rishi tradition, when a seed grows into a tree, it represents culture, while a seed that decays and is destroyed symbolises deformity. He emphasised that culture is the foundation for life's development. Reflecting on this tradition, he praised the transformation of Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences from a hospital into a full-fledged institute, now emerging as one of the premier medical centres in North India, a significant achievement.

He said that while setting up an institute is important, its true value lies in the hands that manage it. He highlighted that Lucknow, with a population of around 7 million, is the largest city in UP and RML serves as the gateway to eastern UP. The institute has expanded from a hospital to a 1,300-bed facility, showcasing its remarkable growth.

The CM also pointed out that UP leads the nation in healthcare initiatives, with over 5.11 crore Ayushman Bharat Golden Cards issued. "The recent decision by the Union Cabinet to extend Ayushman Card benefits to all individuals above the age of 70 is a step that few could have imagined just five to seven years ago," he said.

He said that financial assistance for medical treatment is being provided through the CM's Relief Fund without any discrimination.