Healthy Citizen, Wealthy Nation

Strategic investments in health not only ensure better health and improve well-being of the people, but also bolster economies, create jobs and enhance personal productivity. Countries which do not focus on the health of their citizens are proven to have poor growth rates & lower GDPs. Governments since the time of independence have continuously focused on the importance of investing in healthcare, however, it is for the first time in India that health is not only being linked to the wellness of its citizens but also to a healthy economy. There is no doubt that for a nation to climb the success ladder rapidly, it's building blocks i.e. it's people need to be perfectly fit & healthy. Hence, investing in healthcare becomes all the more important. Understanding the importance of investing in healthcare, our Hon'ble PM Shri Narendra Modi has launched the biggest healthcare mission in the history of India, Ayushman Bharat with focus not only on the healthcare but also the GDP of the country. Realizing the importance of having healthy citizens in order to build a healthy & wealthy nation, he has started many revolutionary programs which are changing the face of healthcare in India.

From providing affordable healthcare to focusing on preventive healthcare, from developing a strong supply side intervention to having a concrete mission mode intervention, the Government of India has not left any stone untouched when it comes to the building of a healthy nation. Focusing on these four pillars of development, the schemes that have been started have impacted the lives of the people across all sections of society.

By giving an impetus to schemes like Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana, the government of India has gifted the nation a priceless gift of affordable Quality Generic Medicines. By making over 700 Quality Generic Medicines, 154 surgical & consumables available for the people at affordable prices, the GoI is committed for bringing down the healthcare expenditure of our citizens while ensuring that each & every citizen of the country has access to affordable healthcare. There are more than 3600 Janaushadhi Kendras that are currently functioning across the country. With the launch of Janaushadhi Suvidha, an oxo-biodegradable sanitary napkin, the Government of India has taken a great step towards ensuring the menstrual health of the women of our country.

Prevention is always better than cure. Following this famous saying, many health care missions including Indradhanush have been started. They are responsible for vaccinating over 3.14 crore children in India, giving them a precious gift of health, along with immunizing around 80 lakh pregnant ladies. These types of schemes are quite helpful in strengthening the future of our generation and hence the country. By providing preventive medicines for free or at very low costs, we are reducing the chances of diseases or likely disorders in the future. Not only this, the Government of India is continuously taking steps to bring down the prices of some life-saving healthcare related equipments like Cardiac Stents & Knee Implants making heart & knee surgeries accessible to the common people. By reducing the prices of these two essential medical devices, we have managed to effect savings of around 85% & 50-70% respectively. At the same time by bringing 1,054 essential medicines under price control regime, the Government has managed to give the consumers a total benefit of over Rs. 10,000crores. By increasing the number of doctors in the country, especially in the rural areas we have ensured that everyone now has access to proper treatment. Also, as compared to 54,348 MBBS seats in 2014, we now have 67,352 seats, this also contributing to increasing the future number of skilled doctors in the country. With only 7 AIIMS in 2014, we now have over 13 AIIMS functional across the country. Under the mission mode, the Government of India has also kick-started revolutionary healthcare insurance schemes like Ayushman Bharat, providing security cover to over 50 crore people across the nation. It is undoubtedly the world's largest healthcare insurance initiative. The Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan is also ensuring the good health of pregnant ladies, giving Rs. 6,000 cash monthly incentive to pregnant/lactating mothers to ensure that they are taking proper rest & having regular health-checkups.

In conclusion, it can be said that the four years of excellent governance have lead to not just a healthy nation but we have also managed to save money of our people too. By focusing on the health, personal care & sanitation, the Government on India is continuously working hard to provide 360-degree healthcare benefits to the citizens of our country, at the same time boosting the GDP of our country.

MoS for Road Transport & Highways, Shipping and Chemicals & Fertilisers, Government of India