Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the Advanced Mother and Child Centre and the Advanced Neurosciences Centre at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, here today. He also laid the foundation stone of a 150-bed state-of-the-art Critical Care Block under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) at PGIMER, Chandigarh. He was joined by Shri Gulab Chand Kataria, Governor of Punjab and Administrator of the Union Territory of Chandigarh; Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare; Shri Ashwini Vaishnav, Union Minister of Railways and Shri Manish Tiwari, Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) representing Chandigarh.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that the inauguration and foundation stone laying of advanced healthcare facilities at PGIMER would significantly strengthen access to quality healthcare for lakhs of people. Recalling his visit to PGIMER's convocation in 2015, he appreciated the remarkable expansion of its capacities over the past decade. He also congratulated the management, faculty and young doctors of PGIMER for their dedicated service.

Emphasizing the close link between sanitation and public health, the Prime Minister stated that "the Government had launched the Swachh Bharat Mission with the vision of making cleanliness a people's movement. " He noted that the construction of crores of toilets, the elimination of open defecation, nationwide cleanliness campaigns, and initiatives to make sanitation a way of life have contributed significantly to improving public health. He also observed that the Swachh Survekshan rankings have encouraged cities such as Chandigarh to continuously improve their sanitation standards.

The Prime Minister lauded retired IPS officer Shri Inderjit Singh Sidhu for inspiring citizens towards cleanliness through his "Broom Warrior" initiative. He noted that the Government had honoured Shri Sidhu with the Padma Award this year in recognition of his contribution to promoting cleanliness.

Highlighting the importance of sustained public participation, the Prime Minister remarked, "Swachhata is not a one-day activity; it is a way of life. " He appreciated the special cleanliness drive organised under the "Swachhata Se Swagat" initiative and congratulated the people of Chandigarh for their enthusiastic participation, noting that such campaigns play an important role in preventing diseases.

The Prime Minister stated that India's healthcare journey has undergone a transformational change over the past twelve years. Recalling the global concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic, he said that India emerged not as a country seeking assistance but as one extending support to nations across the world. He noted that India has today emerged as a major destination for medical tourism.

The Prime Minister said, "Twelve years ago, we resolved that no citizen should suffer due to the lack of healthcare facilities and that quality treatment should be available at affordable costs. The achievements of the last twelve years are the result of this resolve. ".

Highlighting the unprecedented expansion of healthcare infrastructure, the Prime Minister noted that "since 2014, fifteen new AIIMS have been approved, hundreds of new medical colleges have been established across the country, and specialized hospitals for the treatment of serious diseases such as cancer have been strengthened. " Referring to the Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital in Chandigarh, inaugurated in 2022, he said that the institute is now serving thousands of patients.

The Prime Minister underlined that the Government has accorded equal priority to strengthening primary healthcare. He said that under the Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission, critical care blocks, integrated public health laboratories and public health units have been established across the country. He added that over 1.75 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs are now operational across rural, urban and tribal areas, providing comprehensive primary healthcare services, including twelve healthcare service packages. He noted that crores of citizens have been screened for hypertension, diabetes and other non-communicable diseases through these centres.

Highlighting the role of technology in healthcare delivery, the Prime Minister said that the eSanjeevani telemedicine platform has transformed access to specialist consultations, with more than 48 crore telemedicine consultations conducted so far, enabling people in remote areas to access quality medical advice.

The Prime Minister stated that the expansion of healthcare services has contributed significantly to improving maternal and child health outcomes, with over 90 per cent institutional deliveries now taking place in the country. He noted that maternal mortality has declined by 86 per cent, while infant mortality has also witnessed a substantial reduction.

Emphasizing the Government's focus on preventive healthcare, the Prime Minister said that initiatives such as Poshan Abhiyaan, Mission Indradhanush, Yoga, HPV vaccination and the U-WIN platform are safeguarding the health of crores of citizens through timely preventive interventions.

Reaffirming the Government's commitment to eliminating tuberculosis, the Prime Minister said that the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan is being implemented with active public participation to ensure awareness, early screening and timely treatment. He noted that TB treatment coverage in the country has now crossed 90 per cent and, according to the World Health Organization, TB incidence in India has declined by 21 per cent over the past decade. He observed that these efforts have particularly benefited the poor, the middle class and women, many of whom often neglect their own health while prioritizing their families.

The Prime Minister remarked, "Healthcare is no longer a privilege in India; it is becoming the right of every ordinary citizen. ".