Union Health and Family Welfare Minister and Chemicals & Fertilisers Minister Shri Jagat Prasad Nadda on Sunday said that India, guided by the farsighted vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is undergoing rapid transformation across all sectors, with healthcare emerging as a strong global presence.
He said health programs designed in Delhi are being implemented with “unprecedented success” in Madhya Pradesh, making the state a model for others.
Shri Nadda was addressing a program organised by the Health Department at the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Cultural Information Centre in Jabalpur. On the occasion, he and Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav virtually inaugurated newly constructed government medical colleges in Sheopur and Singrauli, handing over Letters of Permission for 100 MBBS seats each to begin admissions immediately.
Highlighting India’s shift from curative to preventive and promotive healthcare, Nadda said, “We are writing a new story of growth and expansion in the total healthcare sector.” He pointed out that India has become the first country in the world to provide annual health coverage of ₹5 lakh to a majority of its population under the Ayushman Bharat–Niramayam Yojana, and congratulated CM Dr. Yadav and his team for their dedication.
Major launches and initiatives
In the presence of Shri Nadda and Dr. Yadav, agreements were signed with private investors to establish new medical colleges in Betul, Panna, Dhar and Katni under the PPP model. The leaders also launched the distribution of ‘Vay Vandana Cards’ for eight lakh senior citizens, symbolically handing over cards to five elderly beneficiaries. Other key launches included the ‘Ayushman Sakhi’ Smart Chatbot, ASHA Dialogue program, maternal nutrition awareness material, and the Mother-Child Safety Card.
Nadda lauded Madhya Pradesh’s “Healthy Liver Mission,” which has already screened one crore people. He said, “Under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, revolutionary changes are being brought into India’s healthcare system.” Over 1.77 lakh Health & Wellness Centres are conducting screenings for dental, mental health, cancer and other conditions, with mandatory health check-ups for citizens above 30 years, he said.
He also highlighted progress in maternal and child health: 89% of births now occur in hospitals, maternal mortality has fallen from 130 to 93, and infant mortality has dropped to 39. Screening is ongoing for 5.2 crore people with hypertension and 3.5 crore with diabetes. Under Ayushman Bharat, 12.74 crore families—covering more than 50 crore citizens—are entitled to free treatment of up to ₹5 lakh.
Nadda informed that India now has 780 medical colleges with 1.7 lakh MBBS seats, and the government aims to add 75,000 UG and PG seats in the next five years. He also praised Madhya Pradesh for pioneering MBBS education in Hindi, helping rural students access medical education in their own language.
Recalling the fight against COVID-19, he said India became the fastest country to develop a vaccine and supported not just its citizens but also nations worldwide, handling the crisis with unity unlike the unrest seen in Western countries.
Madhya Pradesh’s healthcare push
Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav emphasised that the government’s role extends beyond treatment to supporting patients and their families. He noted that Madhya Pradesh had only five medical colleges in 2003, but today the number has grown to 32—including 17 government, 13 private and two just inaugurated. In the last 18 months, around 15 more government colleges have been approved, and efforts are underway to establish a medical or Ayurvedic college in every district.
The CM highlighted state-specific initiatives like free air ambulance and mortuary vehicle services for the poor, and the Rahveer Yojana, which provides ₹1.5 lakh for treatment of road accident victims and ₹25,000 to those who help them reach hospital. He said 75% of medical college seats under the PPP model will be reserved free of cost for poor students.
“We are committed to tribal welfare, advanced healthcare access and expansion of facilities in mission mode,” Dr. Yadav said.
Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister Shri Rajendra Shukla added that Madhya Pradesh currently has 19 government and 13 private medical colleges, along with AIIMS Bhopal, and will soon increase its tally to 26 government colleges. He said the state is leading in liver health missions and will expand telemedicine services through ASHA workers.
Principal Secretary (Health & Medical Education) Shri Sandeep Yadav described the day as “historic,” marking the inauguration of two new colleges, the signing of four PPP projects, and the rollout of several new healthcare innovations.
The event was attended by Public Works Minister Shri Rakesh Singh, Assembly Speaker Shri Narendra Singh Tomar (virtually), Minister of State for Health Shri Narendra Shivaji Patel, Minister of State for Panchayat & Rural Development Smt. Radha Singh, MPs, MLAs, and a large number of citizens.