Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a major boost to India’s medical education system, revealing that the government has added 1 lakh medical seats across the country. This expansion is set to continue, with plans to add another 75,000 seats in the coming years. The announcement was made during a special function in Darbhanga, Bihar, where Modi laid the foundation stone for a new All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and inaugurated several key infrastructure projects worth a staggering ₹12,100 crore.
The new AIIMS in Darbhanga promises to transform healthcare in the region. It will not only serve residents of Mithila, Kosi, and Tirhut but also extend its reach to West Bengal and neighboring areas, even offering medical services to patients from Nepal. This state-of-the-art facility is expected to create a significant number of new employment opportunities in the region.
Modi emphasized his government’s commitment to a holistic approach to healthcare in India, focusing on five key pillars:
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Disease Prevention:
Promoting preventive healthcare measures to minimize the incidence of illnesses.*
Accurate Diagnosis:
Ensuring timely and accurate diagnosis to enable appropriate treatment plans.*
Affordable and Free Treatment:
Providing accessible and affordable healthcare, including free treatment for underprivileged individuals.*
Improved Healthcare Facilities in Smaller Towns:
Expanding access to quality healthcare services even in rural and remote areas.*
Technology Integration:
Leveraging technology to enhance healthcare services, streamline processes, and improve patient care.Further highlighting the government’s commitment to improving healthcare, Modi shared that over 1.5 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs have been established across the country to facilitate early detection of diseases like cancer and diabetes. He also pointed out that the Ayushman Bharat Yojana has provided treatment to over four crore poor patients, ensuring access to medical care that might have been otherwise unattainable.
Modi’s remarks come at a time when the government is actively expanding medical infrastructure and educational opportunities in India. The number of medical colleges has doubled in the last decade, and the government is now offering the option to study medicine in Hindi and other Indian languages, making medical education more accessible to students from diverse backgrounds. This initiative aims to ensure that even children from marginalized and backward families have the opportunity to pursue a career in medicine.
The establishment of new AIIMS across India, now reaching nearly two dozen, is a testament to the government’s dedication to strengthening the healthcare system and providing world-class medical facilities to its citizens.
