Big Steps Forward in Healthcare
In a recent speech to Parliament, President Draupadi Murmu highlighted significant advancements in India’s healthcare sector. In a decade, India has doubled MBBS seats and established 16 new AIIMS and 315 medical colleges nationwide.
Government Initiatives and Schemes
President Murmu applauded the Modi government’s efforts to improve healthcare infrastructure and services. Notably, establishing 157 nursing colleges addresses the shortage of trained nursing professionals. Also, Ayushman Bharat, a flagship scheme offers free treatment and health insurance, saving citizens nearly Rs 3.5 lakh crore.
Digital Health IDs and Cost Savings
The President highlighted the government’s progress in digitizing healthcare services. Earlier Ayushman Bharat Health Account has created Digital Health IDs for approximately 53 crore people. These IDs streamline healthcare delivery by allowing easy access to medical records. Initiatives like Jan Aushadhi Kendras, which provide affordable generic medicines, also saved citizens approximately Rs 28,000 crore on medicine purchases.
Progress in Medical Infrastructure
Schemes like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) demonstrate the government’s commitment to enhancing medical infrastructure. This initiative fosters growth and innovation in sectors like electronics, pharmaceuticals, food processing, and medical devices. Establishing bulk drug parks enhances local manufacturing and decreases reliance on imported pharmaceuticals.
Promotion of Traditional Medicine and Global Leadership
President Murmu highlighted efforts to promote India’s traditional healthcare practices globally. Initiatives to propagate Yoga, Pranayam, and Ayurveda have garnered international recognition. Representatives from 135 countries doing yoga at the UN highlight India’s leadership in traditional medicine. Establishing WHO’s Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in India underscores the nation’s commitment to traditional healthcare practices.
President Draupadi Murmu’s speech shows how government actions are changing healthcare in India. Government efforts aim to ensure accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare services for all citizens through various initiatives.
Our Expert’s Opinion
From the perspective of ClasstoCollege’s NEET Expert, Mr. Vineet Pandey. The current BJP-led government has prioritized improving medical infrastructure. In the past decade, funding for infrastructure and medical education has notably increased. This has led to a doubling in the number of medical colleges across the country. The increase in medical colleges aids healthcare and aspiring doctors, benefiting India’s healthcare system and future professionals.
He said that the limited number of Government Medical Colleges restricted opportunities for students across various states. Opening of more medical colleges has brought hope for students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, who dream of becoming doctors.
He further added that opening new medical colleges is not just a short-term benefit. It will have a profound and long-lasting impact on Indian society. In 15-20 years, after completing their studies, these students will start giving back to society, showing real effects.
He also brought to attention the changes being brought by the Central & State Government colleges wherein Service Bond now demands longer terms or higher penalties. Earlier students had shorter service obligations with minor penalties for not fulfilling bond terms. For instance, the Service period is now being extended to 3-5 years with significantly higher penalties ranging from 25-30 lacs for non-compliance. This shall surely ensure that students who were given support by the Taxpayers of the Country give back to society by serving in Rural and Remote areas where healthcare infrastructure is lacking.
ClasstoCollege appreciates the government’s efforts in this regard. It believes that developing world-class medical infrastructure is crucial for India’s progress. With a population of over 1.4 billion people, India needs robust healthcare systems at all levels, from villages to towns to districts and states.
As per the NEET Expert, these steps are in the right direction and the Government’s initiative to establish medical colleges in rural areas and encourage students to serve in underserved regions is commendable.
Also Read: NMC’s to Raise the Benchmark in Medical Education
