Chandigarh, February 15 – Union Health and Family Welfare Minister, Sh J.P. Nadda said that providing world-class medical facilities to every Indian is a top priority for the government. Under the able leadership of Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi and the hard work of doctors and scientists, we have been successful to a great extent in this direction. He highlighted that, in the past, people had to sell their homes and land to afford treatments like cancer care. However, with initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Ayushman Bharat Yojana and the availability of affordable cancer medicines, all cancer patients can now access the treatment they need.
Sh J.P. Nadda was addressing the two-day national seminar on cancer organized at the National Cancer Institute, Badhsa, Jhajjar. Prior to the seminar, the Union Health Minister inaugurated the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, Radio Nucleotide Therapy Ward, and Free Generic Dispensary at the institute. During the visit, he also reviewed the facilities available at the institute.
The Union Minister said that until 1998, there was only one AIIMS in the country. Under the leadership of former Prime Minister Sh Atal Bihari Vajpayee, 16 AIIMS were established, and this number has increased to 22 in the the government led by Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi. He said that research and innovation in the medical field are now driven by humanitarian values. The government is formulating policies that prioritize public interest, and doctors, paramedics, and scientists are working tirelessly. As a result, there is no longer any need to travel abroad for cancer treatment.
He further stated that the National Cancer Institute, which was established just six years ago, has gained a distinct global reputation today. The Union Minister also said that this year, the central government will launch cancer day-care centers in 200 districts across the country, with plans to extend this service to every district within the next three years.
During the seminar, the Union Minister honoured individuals and institutions making significant contributions to social service in the medical field.
The event was attended by BJP National Secretary Sh Om Prakash Dhankar, AIIMS Director Dr. N. Srinivasan, Dean Academic Dr. K.K. Verma, Additional Secretary of the Health Ministry Jaideep Mishra, cancer specialists, scientists, and scholars from across the country.
