Haryana made significant progress in healthcare sector: Nadda

Ambala, Jul 6 (PTI) Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda on Monday said Haryana has made significant progress in the healthcare sector and has been allotted two AIIMS institutions as part of the Centre's plan to establish 23 new AIIMS across the country. Addressing a function organised by the Indian Medical Association in Ambala City, Nadda said the Centre has strengthened healthcare infrastructure under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said nearly 1.85 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs have been established across the country to provide primary healthcare services, while 11 vaccines are now administered from birth to the age of 16, with coverage reaching around 98 per cent. Nadda said India remained polio-free despite some countries continuing to struggle with the disease. He also said that about 42 crore people have undergone health screening under various government programmes since 2017, covering diabetes, mental health, oral and breast cancer, dental care and other illnesses. The Union minister urged doctors to share their achievements with the public and stressed the need to promote telemedicine and Ayurvedic healthcare to improve access to quality treatment. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini described doctors as the "guiding light of society", saying they bring hope to patients and serve humanity with dedication. He said healthcare infrastructure in Haryana has expanded considerably over the past 12 years. According to the chief minister, 17 medical colleges have been established in the state during this period, while more institutions are under construction. The government aims to set up a medical college in every district, he added. Saini said Haryana earlier produced around 700 doctors annually before 2014 but the number has now increased to over 2,500 every year. He also said around 32 lakh people in Haryana have benefited under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. The chief minister assured representatives of the IMA that the state government would consider their demands positively after the association submitted a memorandum during the event. Haryana Energy Minister Anil Vij, BJP state president Archana Gupta and several senior doctors and officials were present on the occasion. PTI VSD KSS KSS