In a major step towards enhancing healthcare facilities in the State and realising the resolve to open at least one medical college in every district, Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, today performed the Bhoomi Pujan for the Sant Sarsai Nath Ji Government Medical College in Sirsa. This landmark development will benefit not only the people of Sirsa but also cater to the healthcare needs of residents of neighboring Punjab and Rajasthan.
The medical college will be built on 21 acres of land, with an estimated cost of over Rs. 1,010 crore, ensuring world-class medical education and healthcare services for the region. This college will have 100 seats in MBBS course and the construction of the building of this medical college will be completed in about two years.
Modern Cancer Treatment Centre will be established adjacent to the new medical college
While addressing the gathering on this occasion, Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini emphasized the government's commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure in the state. He announced that a modern Cancer Treatment Centre would be established on a 5.5 acre land adjacent to the new medical college to provide specialized cancer care. This initiative will greatly improve cancer treatment accessibility for residents of the area.
Families with an annual income of up to Rs. 1.80 will get health cover of Rs 10 lakh
The Chief Minister also announced that fulfilling the promise made in the BJP Sankalp Patra, the State Government has decided to provide treatment facility of upto Rs 10 lakh to all those families having annual income upto Rs 1.80 lakh under Chirayu Ayushman Yojana. At present, families with an annual income of up to Rs. 1.80 lakh are provided with a health cover of Rs. 5 lakh annually under the scheme.
Bhoomi Pujan ceremony held amidst chanting of shalokas
Earlier, the Bhoomi Pujan ceremony was held with the chanting of slokas, marking the beginning of this significant project. Health, Medical Education and Research, and Ayush Minister, Kumari Aarti Singh Rao, was also present during the occasion, alongside other dignitaries.
Sant Sarsai Nath Ji was a disciple of Guru Gorakhnath Ji
While congratulating the people of district Sirsa on the Bhoomi Pujan ceremony of the Sant Sarsai Nath Ji Government Medical College, Sh Nayab Singh Saini said that "Sant Sarsai Nath Ji was a disciple of Guru Gorakhnath Ji and he laid the foundation of the Sirsa city in the 13th century. He was a remarkable person, known for his noble deeds. It is said that he even gave life to Dara Shikoh, the son of Emperor Shah Jahan."
PM Sh. Narendra Modi has a vision of transforming the country into a medical hub
The Chief Minister stated that Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi has a vision of transforming the country into a medical hub. To fulfill this vision and ensure that healthcare is accessible to every citizen, it is essential to have an adequate number of doctors and paramedical staff in medical institutions. To achieve this goal, we are establishing a medical college in every district, he added.
The number of medical colleges has increased to 15
The Chief Minister stated that the number of medical colleges in the state has currently increased to 15, with 9 of these being established during our tenure. In addition, the construction of the building for the Medical College in Bhiwani is almost complete, and medical colleges are under construction in Kaithal, Gurugram, and Yamunanagar.
The construction of medical college buildings in Haibatpur, Jind district, and Koriyavas, Mahendragarh district, is nearing completion. Furthermore, the process of opening 5 new medical colleges is already underway.
Number of MBBS seats in medical colleges increased to 2,185, expected to increase to 3,485 in next few years
He said that the number of MBBS seats in medical colleges has been increased from 700 to 2,185, while the number of PG seats has risen from 289 to 861. Additionally, there are now 155 seats for PG diploma courses. Over the next 3-4 years, the number of MBBS seats is expected to increase to 3,485. It has also been decided that nursing, physiotherapy and paramedical colleges will also be established in every medical college of the State, he added.
AIIMS is being established in Majra, District Rewari
The Chief Minister said that our goal is Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah, Sarve Santu Niramayah—may all be happy and may all be free from illness. We are committed to making the 'Fit India Movement,' initiated by Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi, successful in our pursuit of a healthy India.
To achieve this goal, we are consistently taking effective steps to provide high-quality healthcare services to every citizen of the state. In this regard, we are continuously strengthening all aspects of our health infrastructure. He said that the government has taken over the closed Gold Field Medical College in Chhayansa, district Faridabad, and re-started it in the name of former Prime Minister, the late Sh. Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Additionally, Sh. Krishna Ayush University has been established in Kurukshetra, and the National Ayurveda, Yoga, and Naturopathy Institute is being set up in Panchkula. He also said that Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Health Science University is being constructed in Kutail, Karnal.
The third phase of expansion at Bhagat Phool Singh Government Women’s Medical College in Khanpur Kalan will be undertaken at a cost of Rs 419 crore. The National Cancer Institute has already been opened in Badhsa, District Jhajjar, while AIIMS is being established in Majra, District Rewari.
A Tertiary Cancer Care Center has been set up at Civil Hospital, Ambala Cantonment, at a cost of Rs 72 crore
The Chief Minister highlighted that in collaboration with the Center, a Tertiary Cancer Care Center (TCCC) has been set up at Civil Hospital, Ambala Cantonment, at a cost of Rs 72 crore, providing comprehensive services to cancer patients. Furthermore, Nursing College and Physiotherapy College have been opened in Karnal, and a nursing college has been established in Safidon. Government nursing colleges are being established in Faridabad, Panchkula, Kaithal, Kurukshetra, and Rewari. Plans are also in place to establish a Para Medical College and Physiotherapy College within the campus of the Kaithal Nursing College. This new college will be integrated with Bhagwan Parshuram Government Medical College, creating further opportunities for healthcare education in the region, he said.
Claims worth Rs. 1,477 crore given for the treatment of 11.65 lakh under Chirayu Ayushman Yojana
Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that the government has launched the 'Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Ayushman Bharat Yojana' for the treatment of underprivileged families. This initiative has been further expanded in Haryana through the Chirayu Ayushman Yojana. Under this scheme, families with an annual income of up to Rs. 1.80 lakh are provided with a health cover of Rs. 5 lakh annually.
Recently, families with an annual income of up to Rs. 3 lakh have also been included in the scheme, extending coverage to approximately 8 lakh additional families. To date, Chirayu Ayushman cards have been issued to 78,381 beneficiaries.
These families contribute only Rs. 1,500 annually as health insurance. In total, 1.19 crore Chirayu cards have so far been issued across the state. Under this scheme, claims worth Rs. 1,477 crore have been given for the treatment of 11.65 lakh patients in Haryana.
More than 82 lakh people have benefited from health checkups under Nirogi Haryana Yojana
Sh. Nayab Singh Saini mentioned that the Nirogi Haryana Yojana has been launched for the health checkup of Antyodaya families in the state. The aim of this scheme is to ensure that every individual in the state undergoes a health checkup at least once every two years. So far, over 82 lakh people have benefited from health checkups, and more than 4.53 crore different types of tests have been conducted free of cost.
He said that under the Chief Minister's Free Treatment Scheme, 228 types of operations, 70 types of medical tests, and 21 types of dental treatments are provided free of cost. Additionally, 547 essential medicines are also distributed free of cost. Haryana is the first state in the country to provide free medicines for the treatment of Hepatitis C and B.
635 ambulances available round the clock for timely medical treatment
The Chief Minister also highlighted the state's commitment to emergency healthcare services, with 635 ambulances available round the clock for timely medical treatment. These include 161 advanced life support ambulances and 170 basic life support ambulances.
Furthermore, 26 additional advanced life support ambulances and 16 newborn care ambulances are being procured. In addition, 59 medical mobile units are deployed across the state to ensure prompt healthcare delivery.
352 'Ayush Health and Wellness Centers' have been set up across the state
He stated that while providing modern medical facilities in the state, the government is also encouraging people to adopt a healthy lifestyle by promoting yoga and the Ayurveda medical system. The Haryana government is laying a strong emphasis on the promotion of yoga.
To this end, the 'Haryana Yog Ayog' has been established. Starting from the academic session of 2022-23, yoga education has been made a compulsory subject for students from Class 1 to Class 10. He further said that to promote yoga in rural areas, 659 Vyamshalas have already been started, and work is ongoing on an additional 326 Vyamshalas.
The Ayurveda medical system has been integrated with the Ayushman Bharat-Chirayu Yojana. Furthermore, 352 'Ayush Health and Wellness Centers' have been set up across the state. This year, we aim to establish Ayushman Health and Wellness Centers alongside 700 parks and vyayamshalas in rural areas, further promoting health and wellness in villages.
Chief Minister urged the youth to stay away from drugs
On this occasion, the Chief Minister urged the youth to stay away from the harmful habit of drugs. He appealed to parents stating that it is their responsibility to keep a close watch on their children and ensure they do not stray onto the wrong path. He also urged farmers to reduce the use of pesticides, emphasizing that excessive pesticide use can lead to various health issues.
The Chief Minister said that good health is essential for efficiency and productivity, enabling individuals to contribute more effectively to the development of society, the state, and the nation. He also highlighted that Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi has called for a shift towards natural farming, and a separate budget has been allocated for this purpose.
Health Minister assured the public of her unwavering commitment to ensure that people receive better healthcare facilities
Earlier, addressing the gathering, Health, Medical Education and Research, and Ayush Minister, Kumari Aarti Singh Rao, expressed her gratitude to Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, for performing the Bhoomi Pujan of the Sant Sarsai Nath Ji Government Medical College in Sirsa. She described this initiative as a significant step towards realizing the vision of establishing at least one medical college in each district of the state.
Kumari Aarti Singh Rao also highlighted that prior to 2014, the number of MBBS seats in medical colleges was only 700, but it has now increased to 2,185. As the Health Minister of the state, she assured the public of her unwavering commitment to making every effort to ensure that people receive better healthcare facilities across Haryana.
Former Minister Sh Gopal Kanda and MLA Sirsa Sh Gokul Setia also spoke on this occasion
Former Governor of Odisha Sh Ganeshi Lal, former Member of Parliament, Sirsa Smt Sunita Duggal, senior BJP leader Sh Jagdish Chopra, Additional Chief Secretary Medical Education and Research Smt Sumita Misra, Director General, Medical Education and Research Dr Saket Kumar, Deputy Commissioner, Sirsa Sh Shantanu Sharma, other senior officers, party leaders and large number of people were also present on this occasion.Chief Secretary Vivek Joshi reviews status of 9 infrastructure projects worth 58,274 crore