The Aryavarth Express
Agency (New Delhi): In a significant boost to India’s healthcare sector, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has officially opened five new All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Rajkot (Gujarat), Bathinda (Punjab), Raebareli (Uttar Pradesh), Kalyani (West Bengal), and Mangalagiri (Andhra Pradesh). This historic move, accompanied by the launch of over 200 healthcare infrastructure projects valued at over Rs. 11,700 crores across 23 states and union territories, marks a major stride in the nation’s health services.
The inauguration was graced by various dignitaries, including Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, and several chief ministers, governors, and other officials who joined virtually from across the country.
In his address, Prime Minister Modi highlighted the rapid expansion of AIIMS across India, contrasting the earlier times when only one AIIMS in New Delhi served the entire nation. He emphasized the government’s commitment to accelerating healthcare projects and expanding medical education, citing the growth from around 380 medical colleges in 2014 to over 700 today. This expansion includes a significant increase in PG and MBBS seats and the establishment of more than 10,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras nationwide.
The Prime Minister also reflected on the fulfillment of promises made for establishing AIIMS in various locations, noting the significant growth in the number of AIIMS over the last decade. He expressed his best wishes to the residents of the cities where the new AIIMS have been launched.
The healthcare projects inaugurated alongside the AIIMS include a diverse range of facilities. These encompass the Medical College of JIPMER at Karaikal, Puducherry; a 300-bedded Satellite Centre of PGIMER in Sangrur, Punjab; and a National Centre for Ageing in Chennai, among others. Additionally, various health projects under the National Health Mission and the Prime Minister-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission were also inaugurated. These projects aim to enhance critical healthcare infrastructure across India.
In Pune, Maharashtra, the National Institute of Naturopathy named ‘Nisarg Gram’ was inaugurated, featuring a naturopathy medical college and a 250-bedded hospital. Similar initiatives like the Central Research Institute of Yoga & Naturopathy in Jhajjar, Haryana, and new microbiology laboratories established by the Food Safety Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) in various states, mark an increase in specialized health facilities.
The new AIIMS facilities are state-of-the-art medical complexes, each with unique features catering to diverse healthcare needs. AIIMS Mangalagiri, for instance, is a 960-bed hospital, and AIIMS Raebareli includes 30 Emergency & Trauma and ICU & Super Specialty beds. AIIMS Rajkot, AIIMS Bathinda, and AIIMS Kalyani also boast substantial capacities and specialized departments, underlining the government’s commitment to expanding and diversifying healthcare services across the country.
This landmark initiative not only signifies a major advancement in India’s medical education and research but also promises enhanced healthcare access and quality for millions across the nation.
