New Delhi, October 29: Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a series of healthcare and development initiatives worth nearly Rs 12,850 crore, aiming to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and accessibility across India. A significant highlight of the launch was the expansion of the government’s flagship health insurance scheme, Ayushman Bharat, now extended to cover all senior citizens aged 70 and above. The announcement was made on the occasion of the ninth Ayurveda Day, commemorating the birth anniversary of Dhanvantari, the Hindu god of medicine.
Modi also inaugurated Phase II of the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) in Delhi. The new facilities at AIIA include a Panchakarma hospital, an Ayurvedic pharmacy, a sports medicine unit, a central library, an IT and startup incubation center, and a 500-seat auditorium.
To further improve healthcare delivery, drone services were introduced at 11 AIIMS locations across the country, including AIIMS Rishikesh, Jodhpur, and Guwahati. Additionally, a helicopter emergency medical service was launched from AIIMS Rishikesh to expedite critical care support.
In a push for digital healthcare, the prime minister unveiled the U-WIN portal, a platform designed to ensure timely vaccinations for pregnant women and children, covering 12 preventable diseases. A new portal for allied healthcare professionals was also introduced to create a centralized database of healthcare workers and institutions.
Modi also inaugurated three new medical colleges in Mandsaur, Neemuch, and Seoni in Madhya Pradesh. Several AIIMS centers, including those in Bilaspur, Kalyani, Patna, and Gorakhpur, saw facility upgrades. In addition, a Super Speciality Block was inaugurated at the Government Medical College in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, and a Critical Care Block in Bargarh, Odisha.
Further expansions include foundation stones laid for five new nursing colleges in Madhya Pradesh and multiple ESIC hospitals in locations like Indore, Faridabad, and Bommasandra. These developments are expected to benefit approximately 55 lakh ESI beneficiaries.
To support the “Make in India” initiative in healthcare, Modi launched five new units for the production of medical devices and bulk drugs under the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. These units, located in cities such as Vapi, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru, will manufacture high-end medical devices, including body implants and critical care equipment.
The projects are part of a broader effort to boost healthcare accessibility, drive innovation in the sector, and advance self-reliance in medical manufacturing across India.
