On the occasion of Dhanvantari Jayanti and the 9th Ayurveda Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch, inaugurate, and lay the foundation stone for a series of health sector projects worth around Rs 12,850 crore. The event is set for October 29 at 12:30 PM at the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) in New Delhi, underscoring a robust commitment to expanding healthcare access across India.
A significant addition to the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) will be the extension of health coverage to all senior citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of income, ensuring health security for the elderly population.
In a considerable boost to healthcare infrastructure, the Prime Minister will inaugurate Phase II of India’s First All India Institute of Ayurveda. This new phase will include facilities such as a Panchakarma hospital, an Ayurvedic drug manufacturing pharmacy, a sports medicine unit, a central library, and an IT and start-ups incubation center. Additionally, three new medical colleges will be inaugurated in Mandsaur, Neemuch, and Seoni in Madhya Pradesh, while service expansions at AIIMS centers across several states, including Bilaspur, Kalyani, Patna, and Bhopal, will further strengthen healthcare accessibility.
Highlighting technological advancements in healthcare, Modi will launch drone services in 11 tertiary healthcare institutions to enhance service delivery and healthcare access in remote areas. A Helicopter Emergency Medical Service will also be launched from AIIMS Rishikesh, providing rapid medical response in emergencies.
To modernize healthcare digitally, the Prime Minister will introduce the U-WIN portal, a tool that will digitalize the vaccination process for pregnant women and infants, ensuring timely vaccinations against 12 preventable diseases. A new portal for healthcare professionals and institutes will also be launched, centralizing data on healthcare services and professionals nationwide.
Boosting the ‘Make in India’ initiative, Modi will inaugurate five new projects under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for medical devices and bulk drugs, supporting the domestic manufacture of essential medical equipment and pharmaceuticals.
Modi’s upcoming initiatives also include several R&D and testing projects, such as the inauguration of a Central Drugs Testing Laboratory in Bhubaneswar and the foundation stones for two Central Research Institutes in Yoga and Naturopathy in Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Four new Centers of Excellence at various National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) will focus on innovation in medical devices, phytopharmaceuticals, and anti-viral drug discovery.
Four Ayush Centres of Excellence will be launched, focusing on areas including diabetes, sustainable solutions, and advanced Ayurveda research. As part of a nationwide campaign, “Desh Ka Prakriti Parikshan Abhiyan,” the Prime Minister will also introduce a State-specific Action Plan on Climate Change and Human Health, aimed at building climate-resilient healthcare services across India.
This comprehensive set of initiatives marks a substantial expansion in India’s healthcare infrastructure, research, and digital capabilities, reflecting the government’s commitment to ensuring high-quality healthcare access for all citizens.
