The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today interacted with the beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojna and other Central Government health care schemes from across the country, through video bridge. This is the fifth interaction in the series by the Prime Minister through video bridge with various beneficiaries of Government schemes.
Explaining the importance of healthcare and wellness, Prime Minister said that health is the basis for all success and prosperity. He added that that India would become great and healthy only when its 125 crore citizens are healthy.
Interacting with the beneficiaries, Shri Modi said that illness not only creates a huge financial burden on families, especially poor and middle class, but also affects our socio economic sectors. Hence, it is the endeavour of the government to ensure affordable healthcare to every citizen. Prime Minister added that Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojna was launched with this intention so that poor, lower middle class and middle class get access to affordable medicines and their financial burden is reduced.
Government has opened more than 3600 Jan Aushadhi Kendras all over the country, where more than 700 generic medicines are available at affordable price. The cost of medicines at Jan Aushadhi Kendras are 50-90% less than the market price, Prime Minister said and added that the number of Jan Aushadhi Kendras will reach over 5000 in the near future.
Talking about health stents, Prime Minister Shri Modi said that earlier citizens had to sell or mortgage property to purchase health stents. He added that, the government has reduced the prices of stents substantially to help poor and middle class. The cost of heart stents have reduced from around Rs. 2 lakh to Rs. 29000.
During the interaction, Shri Narendra Modi said that the Government has reduced knee transplant prices by 60 - 70%, thereby bringing down the cost from Rs. 2.5 lakh to around Rs.70, 000 – 80,000. It is estimated that around 1 to 1.5 lakh knee operations happen in India every year. On that account, the reduction in knee transplant prices has saved close to Rs.1500 crore for public.
Through Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Dialysis Program, Government has performed more than 22 lakh dialysis sessions for 2.25 lakh patients in more than 500 districts. More than 3.15crore children and 80 lakh pregnant women have been vaccinatedin 528 districts through Mission Indradhanush. In order to ensure more beds, more hospitals and more doctors, Government has opened 92 medical colleges and increased MBBS seats by 15000.
Prime Minister said that to make healthcare affordable and accessible, Government launched the Ayushman Bharat scheme. Under Ayushman Bharat, 10 crore families will be covered with health insurance of Rs. 5 lakh. Talking about ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’, Prime Minister said that the scheme is playing a central role in creating a healthy India. Due to the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, there are now 3.5 lakh open defecation free villages in India and the sanitation coverage has increased by 38%.
Interacting with the Prime Minister, beneficiaries explained how Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojna brought down the cost of the medicines and made it affordable. Beneficiaries also talked about how reduced prices of heart stent and knee transplants have changed their life.
Prime Minister also appealed to the public to take up Yoga, make it part of life style and thereby help in building a healthy nation.
Due to illness, the financial burden is immense for the poor and the middle class. Our constant endeavour is to ensure affordable healthcare to every Indian: PM @narendramodi #HealthKiBaatPMKeSaath https://t.co/zftBBVBr0P
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) June 7, 2018
Access to medicines is a big concern for the poor.
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) June 7, 2018
To ensure the poor get access to affordable medicines, the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojna has been launched. Several people are benefitting due to this Yojana across India: PM @narendramodi #HealthKiBaatPMKeSaath
Five months ago I developed a cholesterol and high blood pressure problem. Every ten days I spent Rs. 1000 but due to Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojna the cost has come down to Rs. 200. Now, I purchase stock in advance. Life has become easier: Mala Ji from Hyderabad
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) June 7, 2018
I am running a store under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojna. I see that poor people from various parts come to the store and purchase medicines at affordable. I feel very happy that my effort is helping others: Anjan Ji from Ramgarh, Jharkhand #HealthKiBaatPMKeSaath
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) June 7, 2018
I must also add, there was no corruption in the process to set up these stores. Things are very transparent: Anjan Ji from Ramgarh, Jharkhand #HealthKiBaatPMKeSaath
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) June 7, 2018
The Government of India has reduced prices of stents substantially. This is helping the poor and the middle class the most: PM @narendramodi #HealthKiBaatPMKeSaath
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) June 7, 2018
For two months I was in great pain. Doctors said I would require a stent. My wife also had the same problem sometime back but I saw the difference in cost of stents for her and me. Cheaper stents is a wonderful thing and I thank PM for it: Veerbhan Singh Ji from Lucknow
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) June 7, 2018
Knee transplants have become cheaper and this helps me a lot. Due to this, I can work more: Laxmi Devi Ji from Alwar Rajasthan #HealthKiBaatPMKeSaath
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) June 7, 2018
For the last three years I have been undergoing dialysis. Treatment in private hospitals was turning out to be expensive. The dialysis centres of the Government of India have reduced my costs: Vijay Babu Ji from Andhra Pradesh #HealthKiBaatPMKeSaath
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) June 7, 2018
Earlier, for dialysis I had to travel all the way to Vadodara but now things have changed due to the efforts of the Central Government: Rukshana Ben from Chhota Udepur in Gujarat
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) June 7, 2018
The Swcahh Bharat Mission is playing a central role in creating a healthy India: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) June 7, 2018
