On October 29, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to launch a series of new healthcare projects valued at approximately Rs 12,850 crore during the celebration of Dhanvantari Jayanti and the 9th Ayurveda Day at the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) in New Delhi. This significant initiative aims to strengthen the nation’s healthcare infrastructure and ensure broader health coverage, especially for senior citizens.
A key aspect of this initiative is the expansion of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), which will now provide health coverage to all citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of their income. This move is expected to provide crucial support to millions of elderly individuals across the country, enhancing their access to essential healthcare services.
Among the notable projects, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the second phase of India’s First All India Institute of Ayurveda. This expansion will include a state-of-the-art Panchakarma hospital, an Ayurvedic pharmacy dedicated to drug manufacturing, a sports medicine unit, and a 500-seat auditorium, among other facilities. Additionally, three new medical colleges in Mandsaur, Neemuch, and Seoni in Madhya Pradesh will be inaugurated, significantly contributing to medical education in the region.
The event will also see the inauguration of various facilities and service enhancements at multiple All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) located in Bilaspur, Kalyani, Patna, Gorakhpur, Bhopal, Guwahati, and New Delhi. These improvements will include the introduction of a Jan Aushadhi Kendra to provide affordable medications to the public. Other healthcare advancements include the inauguration of a Super Specialty Block in the Government Medical College at Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, and a Critical Care Block in Bargarh, Odisha.
Moreover, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for five new nursing colleges in Madhya Pradesh and 21 Critical Care Blocks across various states under the Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM). Another initiative includes launching ESIC hospitals, benefiting approximately 5.5 million beneficiaries and marking a significant development for workers covered under the Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) scheme.
To further revolutionize healthcare delivery, Prime Minister Modi will introduce drone services to 11 tertiary healthcare institutions, facilitating quicker medical supplies. The initiative also encompasses the launch of Helicopter Emergency Medical Services from AIIMS Rishikesh, ensuring rapid response capabilities for medical emergencies.
Modi will also introduce the U-WIN portal, which digitizes the vaccination process for pregnant women and children to ensure timely vaccinations against preventable diseases. Further initiatives include a centralized portal for allied and healthcare professionals and institutes, which will streamline healthcare resources and workforce management.
In addition to these initiatives, a significant focus will be placed on research and development, with the inauguration of a Central Drugs Testing Laboratory in Odisha and the foundation laying of two Central Research Institutes in Yoga and Naturopathy. New Centers of Excellence at National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) in Gujarat, Telangana, Assam, and Punjab will enhance research in medical devices, phytopharmaceuticals, and drug discovery.
Aligned with the Make in India campaign, Modi will launch five projects under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for manufacturing high-end medical devices and critical care equipment.
Lastly, Prime Minister Modi will kick off the nationwide “Desh Ka Prakriti Parikshan Abhiyan” campaign, aimed at raising health awareness, alongside a state-specific Action Plan on Climate Change and Human Health, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to public health that integrates environmental considerations.
