LUCKNOW: Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday compared the hitherto ailing health sector of Uttar Pradesh with ‘Ahalya’ of the Ramayana, who was “waiting for Lord Ram” to get liberated from the curse.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi has just done that. His vision of a healthy and capable India is unprecedented,” Yogi said, addressing a gathering at the BSA ground in Siddharthnagar on the occasion of virtual inauguration of nine medical colleges by the PM.
“The state government is committed to ensuring that no one dies due to lack of health facilities in the state. Health sector remained neglected since independence. The opening of nine medical colleges simultaneously is a tribute to those who died due to lack of medical services,” he said.
“Before 1947, there were only 3-4 medical colleges in UP despite the fact that today’s Uttarakhand was also a part of the state. From 1947 to 2016, only 12 medical colleges could be set up in UP. In contrast, our government, under the guidance of PM Narendra Modi, managed to come up with 30 medical colleges in the state in just four-and-a-half years,” the CM said.
He added that nine medical colleges would not only enhance health facilities but would also inspire the youth to become doctors and serve the society.
“India has set a model for other countries to emulate under the visionary leadership of PM Modi by developing two vaccines in a short span of time and administering over 100 crore vaccine doses to save lives even as various developed countries battle helplessly with Covid pandemic,” Yogi said.
“The impact of PM Modi’s plans was visible in the entire state. The new medical colleges bear testimony to this. In 2019, MBBS course was started at seven medical colleges of the state and today nine new medical colleges are being made operational,” he said.
Yogi said the construction of 14 new medical colleges was currently underway with the cooperation of the Centre. “The idea of ‘One District-One Medical College’ is fast turning into a reality,” he said.
Yogi said the PM also ensured employment and free ration to people apart from offering free vaccination for Covid. “This shows his sensitivity towards the plight of the people,” he said.
“In the past, Siddharthnagar was badly hit by encephalitis which used to claim many lives. However, with improved health infrastructure, better cleanliness through construction of toilets under Swachh Bharat Mission, availability of pure drinking water and setting up of paediatric ICUs and encephalitis treatment centres, encephalitis deaths have come down by 95%,” he said.
