The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi today addresses the foundation stone laying ceremony of Shri Khodaldham Trust-Cancer Hospital via video message.
Addressing on the occasion, the Prime Minister expressed great privilege in connecting with the holy land of Khodal Dham and the devotees of Khodal Maa. Shri Modi underlined that Shri Khodaldham Trust has taken another important step in the field of public welfare and service with the foundation stone laying of the Cancer Hospital and Research Center in Amreli. He also noted that Shri Khodaldham Trust-Kagwad will complete 14 years of its establishment and conveyed his best wishes.
The Prime Minister informed that the Leuva Patidar community established the Shri Khodaldham Trust with the resolve of service, values and dedication 14 years ago. Since then, the Prime Minister said that the trust has worked to change the lives of millions of people through its service. “Be it the field of education, agriculture or health, this Trust has done excellent work in every direction”, the Prime Minister said expressing confidence that the cancer hospital being built in Amreli will become another example of the spirit of service and will hugely benefit a large area of Saurashtra including Amreli.
Noting that treatment of a serious disease like cancer becomes a big challenge for any person and family, the Prime Minister emphasized that the government is trying to ensure that no patient faces difficulties in cancer treatment. With this thinking, the Prime Minister said, about 30 new cancer hospitals have been developed in the country in the last 9 years, and work is underway on 10 new cancer hospitals.
The Prime Minister underlined the importance of detecting Cancer at the right stage for its treatment. He pointed out that the cancer already starts to spread by the time the people of the villages get diagnosed. To avoid such situations, the Prime Minister informed that the Central Government has built more than 1.5 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs at the village level where the emphasis is being laid on the early detection of many serious diseases including cancer. “When cancer is detected early, doctors also get a lot of help in its treatment”, he added. Shri Modi said that women have also benefited greatly from the efforts of the Central Government as he mentioned Ayushman Arogya Mandir playing an important role in the initial detection of diseases like cervical cancer or breast cancer.
The Prime Minister underlined that Gujarat has made unprecedented progress in the health sector in the last 20 years and it has become a huge medical hub of India. He informed that till 2002, there were only 11 medical colleges in Gujarat whereas today, the number has increased to 40. He further added that the number of MBBS seats here increased almost 5 times in 20 years and the number of PG seats have also increased by about 3 times. “Now we even have AIIMS in Rajkot”, he said. He also pointed out that there were only 13 pharmacy colleges in Gujarat till 2002 whereas their numbers have increased to around 100 today and the number of Diploma Pharmacy Colleges has also increased from 6 to around 30 in the last 20 years. PM Modi underlined that Gujarat has presented a model of major reform in the health sector with the opening up of community health centers in every village, thereby extending health facilities to tribal and poor areas. “People's trust in the facility of 108 ambulances in Gujarat has continuously strengthened”, he added.
Shri Modi emphasized the need for a healthy and strong community for the development of any country. “With the blessings of Khodal Mata, our government is following this thinking today”, the Prime Minister said, mentioning the Ayushman Bharat Yojana which has helped in the treatment of more than 6 crore people today including a large number of cancer patients and helping them save one lakh crore rupees. He also spoke about opening 10,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras where medicines are made available at an 80 percent discount. The Prime Minister also informed about increasing the number of PM Jan Aushadhi Centers to 25,000. He stated that patients have been saved from spending Rs 30,000 crores. “The government has also controlled the prices of cancer medicines which has benefited many cancer patients”, he added.
Highlighting his long-term association with the trust, Prime Minister Modi put forward 9 requests. Firstly, to save every drop of water and create awareness about water conservation. Second - Create awareness about digital transactions at the village level. Third- Work to make your village, locality, and city number one in cleanliness. Fourth- Promote local products and make use of Made in India products as much as possible. Fifth- Travel within the country and promote domestic tourism. Sixth- Create awareness among farmers about natural farming. Seventh - Include Shri-Ann in the daily diet. Eighth – Indulge in fitness, yoga or sports and make it an integral part of life. And finally – Stay away from any kind of drugs and addiction.
The Prime Minister expressed confidence that the trust will continue to fulfil its responsibilities with full devotion and ability and the cancer hospital being built in Amreli will become an example for the welfare of the entire society. He conveyed his best wishes to Leuva Patidar Samaj and Shri Khodaldham Trust. “By the grace of Mother Khodal, you should continue to engage in social service”, he added.
Concluding the address, the Prime Minister also urged the well-to-do class to perform wedding ceremonies in the country and refrain from foreign destination weddings. “Just like Made in India, now Wed in India”, the Prime Minister concluded.
