New Delhi: Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilizers, J.P. Nadda, inaugurated the “Medicine Update BJMFCON 2024,” organized by the Bihar & Jharkhand Medical Forum (BJMF), today. As the chief guest of the event, Nadda also unveiled the ‘Souvenir and BJMF Directory,’ marking the second edition of this socio-scientific gathering, which brings together doctors from Bihar and Jharkhand who practice in the Delhi NCR region.
During his address, Nadda praised the forum’s ongoing contributions to the medical community, stating, “BJMF’s commitment to both socio-academic and scientific development is commendable. You are not only serving as doctors but also giving back to society through your collective efforts. Events like this promote medical knowledge, continuous education, and valuable discussions that directly impact society.”
Nadda outlined the government’s efforts in revolutionizing India’s healthcare sector, emphasizing that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, there has been significant progress in delivering high-quality, affordable healthcare. He noted that the government is committed to a holistic health policy that focuses on preventive, promotive, curative, palliative, and rehabilitative care.
In his speech, Nadda spotlighted the government’s focus on preventive healthcare, revealing that 1.73 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs have been set up across India, with a combined footfall of over 10 crore. In Bihar, there are 10,716 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs with 8.35 crore visits and 4.36 crore non-communicable disease screenings, while Jharkhand has 3,825 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, with a footfall of 2.33 crore and 2.12 crore NCD screenings.
The minister also highlighted key improvements in maternal and child health. “Institutional deliveries have risen from 78.9% to 88.6% in the first five years of the Modi government,” he stated. He also cited a significant decline in the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and the Under-5 Mortality Rate in both Bihar and Jharkhand. The IMR in Bihar dropped from 42 to 27 per 1,000 live births, while in Jharkhand, it decreased from 34 to 25.
Nadda proudly announced a nearly 100% increase in the number of medical colleges since 2014, from 387 to 766, with 157 district hospitals converted into medical colleges. In Bihar, new medical colleges have been set up in Purnia, Saran, Samastipur, and other districts, while Jharkhand has seen new medical facilities in Dumka, Hazaribagh, and Palamu, among others. Additionally, the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) is being redeveloped into Asia’s second-largest hospital.
He further detailed the 125% increase in MBBS seats, which have grown from 51,348 before 2014 to 115,412, and a 134% increase in postgraduate seats.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY), Nadda highlighted the establishment of new AIIMS in Patna, Darbhanga, and Deoghar, designed to improve healthcare access and education in these regions. He also pointed out that the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), the world’s largest health insurance scheme, has authorized treatments worth ₹86,797 crore.
In an effort to extend care to seniors, the government has made Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY available to all individuals aged 70 and above, allowing them access to up to ₹5 lakh of healthcare benefits.