Yogi Adityanath stresses: A healthy India is key to building a strong nation

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath emphasized the importance of health in building a strong and empowered India. Speaking at a senior citizens’ event in Gorakhpur on Monday, he said that a “Sashakt Bharat” (Strong India) is only possible with a “Swasth Bharat” (Healthy India). The CM highlighted how both the central and state governments are committed to improving public health and well-being.

Addressing the gathering at Mahant Digvijaynath Park, Yogi Adityanath distributed Ayushman Vay Vandana cards to senior citizens aged 70 and above. This initiative is part of a broader effort to ensure senior citizens have better access to healthcare. In Gorakhpur alone, 8,325 senior citizens are enrolled under this scheme, which provides benefits like free treatment and improved medical facilities.

Expanding medical infrastructure

The Chief Minister pointed out the significant progress made in healthcare since 2017. Before that year, Uttar Pradesh had only 12 government medical colleges. Today, medical colleges have been established in 65 districts of the state. This year alone, 16 new medical colleges have started functioning, including 13 under the public sector and three through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models.

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Yogi Adityanath praised the Ayushman Bharat scheme, calling it the world’s largest health insurance initiative. Over 5.25 crore Ayushman cards have been distributed across Uttar Pradesh, providing free treatment to more than 55 lakh people. Services such as ICU care, dialysis, and CT scans are now accessible to beneficiaries without cost.

The CM also highlighted the government’s efforts to eradicate encephalitis in the state, which had previously claimed many lives. He mentioned the CM Relief Fund, which has helped 7,437 individuals with ₹123.16 crore in financial aid.

Call for public participation

Encouraging the younger generation, Yogi Adityanath urged them to assist senior citizens in registering for the Ayushman Vay Vandana scheme. He emphasized that eligible individuals should fully utilize the benefits provided by these healthcare initiatives.

The Chief Minister is on a two-day visit to Gorakhpur. On Tuesday, he is scheduled to attend the concluding ceremony of the Maharana Pratap Education Council programme, where Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi will be the chief guest.