Bilaspur, October 6 (Daily Kiran) : President Droupadi Murmu underscored the significance of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana in alleviating the financial burden of healthcare on economically disadvantaged families during a speech at AIIMS Bilaspur on October 6, 2026. This initiative provides eligible beneficiaries with an annual health coverage of ₹5 lakh per family.
Speaking at the inaugural convocation of AIIMS Bilaspur, President Murmu revealed that over ₹2 lakh crore has been spent on treatments under this scheme, benefiting more than 500 million individuals. She urged stakeholders to ensure that information about these health security measures reaches people in remote areas.
During the ceremony, the President conferred degrees to the first graduating batch of AIIMS Bilaspur, encouraging them to embrace lifelong learning. She advised the graduates to stay updated with evolving medical practices and transform research into innovations that enhance people’s lives.
“Healthcare is not solely a domain of science and technology; it is fundamentally about compassion and trust,” she stated. President Murmu motivated the graduates to prioritize the needs of individuals, especially those in inaccessible regions where specialized medical facilities are scarce.
Given the geographical context of AIIMS Bilaspur, she urged the institution and its graduates to work towards strengthening high-quality healthcare in the area. This includes initiatives like telemedicine, expert consultations, training for medical staff, and the adoption of modern technology.
Central Health and Family Welfare Minister J.P. Nadda, who also spoke at the event, highlighted the expansion of medical education in the country over the past 12 years. He noted that the number of medical colleges has surged from 384 to over 800, while undergraduate medical seats have increased from 51,348 to 142,000.
Nadda discussed the government’s ambitious goal to add 75,000 undergraduate and postgraduate medical seats by 2029, which includes an allocation of ₹15,000 crore for creating an additional 10,000 MBBS and PG seats.
He also referenced the significant expansion of the AIIMS network under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, noting that while there was only one AIIMS for decades, 16 new AIIMS have been established in the last 12 years.
Regarding AIIMS Bilaspur, Nadda mentioned that the institution has exceeded its initial target of 750 beds and now boasts a capacity of 776 beds, with 26 specialties and 15 super-specialties fully operational. He emphasized the availability of complex surgeries, cardiac catheterization interventions, neurosurgery, comprehensive care, cancer care, and radiotherapy services, achievements realized over the past five years. Additionally, he reported that the number of outpatient consultations has reached 1.2 million, with inpatient admissions exceeding 100,000 in the last four years.
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