NEW DELHI: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on Tuesday, December 24, 2024, acknowledged Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s success in combating encephalitis, a feat he could not achieve during his tenure as Uttar Pradesh’s Chief Minister due to the lack of effective treatments at the time. Speaking at the inauguration of the ‘Atal Health Fair’ alongside CM Yogi, Singh recalled witnessing the devastating impact of encephalitis during his student years at Gorakhpur University, including parents carrying the bodies of children outside hospitals.
He remarked that since the BJP’s double-engine government took charge in 2017, CM Yogi Adityanath has worked tirelessly to eradicate encephalitis, personally overseeing the efforts. As a result, the number of child deaths from the disease in Purvanchal, Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Bihar has now become negligible.
Reflecting on Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s leadership, Singh shared cherished memories, including an instance during Prime Minister Narasimha Rao’s tenure when Atalji, as the Leader of the Opposition, was entrusted with representing India at a United Nations forum in Geneva. Singh highlighted Atalji’s unique dedication to nation-building, emphasizing his selfless approach to politics.
The Defence Minister noted that Atalji had initiated numerous health schemes as Prime Minister, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is continuing his legacy. Over 40 crore people now benefit from the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, which provides free treatment of up to Rs 5 lakh for individuals above 70. He also emphasized the affordability of medicines at Jan Aushadhi Kendras, offered at 50–80% lower prices, encouraging greater public awareness of these centers.
Rajnath Singh highlighted significant progress in healthcare infrastructure under the Modi government, with the approval of 22 AIIMS, more than 12 of which are operational, and the rest under construction. Additionally, the number of medical colleges in India has risen from 387 in 2014 to 780 in 2024, and MBBS seats have increased from 50,000 to 1.20 lakh. He praised the Yogi government for improving Uttar Pradesh’s health infrastructure, including launching a fast ambulance service and increasing the number of medical colleges and seats.
Since 2017, with support from the central government, Uttar Pradesh has initiated the construction of 27 medical colleges in various phases, 14 of which are already functional. The remaining 13 will soon be accessible, aligning with the vision of ensuring every district in the state has its own medical college. Singh credited CM Yogi for bringing significant improvements to public health in Uttar Pradesh and positioning it as a leading state. While Yogi Adityanath credited Rajnath Singh for Lucknow’s development, Singh emphasized that it was possible due to the cooperation of Yogi’s government.
The Defence Minister also spoke about Atalji’s enduring legacy as the nation prepared to celebrate his birth centenary. He noted that Indians worldwide are marking the occasion, with Lucknow, in particular, holding a special connection to Atalji. Discussing health challenges in the modern era, Singh pointed to changing lifestyles and food habits, including the tendency to stay awake until morning. He assured that both central and state governments are implementing effective measures to address these issues, earning international recognition for India’s progress in the health sector.