Stating that the Budget allocated to health sector in this financial year has been unprecedented and has indicated the commitment of his government to provide healthcare to all countrymen, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that the COVID-19 pandemic had taught us a lesson to be prepared to fight similar challenges in the future.
Speaking at a webinar on Budget implementation to the health sector, Mr. Modi said: “The world has watched us closely and India has shown its strength during the pandemic. The country’s healthcare sector’s reputation and trust are at a new level all over the world.”
“From medical equipment to medicines, from ventilators to vaccines, from scientific research to surveillance infrastructure, from doctors to epidemiologists, we have to focus on everything and all this is aimed at being better prepared for any health disaster in the future,” he added.
The Prime Minister said that his government was committed towards working for the prevention of illness and promotion of wellness.
“We are working for making affordable and effective treatment accessible to the poorest of the poor. Schemes, including Ayushman Bharat Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Kendra, are aimed at this. We are also working on increasing the quantity and quality of health infrastructure and healthcare professionals and for that world class medical colleges are being opened with world class infrastructure,’’ he said.
Mr. Modi also highlighted the importance of India’s traditional medicines and how it had been a useful tool in the country’s fight against COVID-19.