Prime Minister Narendra Modi conferred two significant gifts to Punjab on Sunday, inaugurating PGI satellite centers in Ferozepur and Sangrur. Through virtual ceremonies, Modi unveiled the 100-bedded PGI Satellite Center in Ferozepur and dedicated the 300-bedded PGI Satellite Center in Sangrur to the nation, marking a pivotal moment in advancing healthcare accessibility in the state.

The inauguration ceremony in Ferozepur witnessed the presence of the entire BJP leadership, along with District Administration officials and representatives from PGI. Modi hailed the PGI Satellite Centers as transformative facilities, bringing advanced medical treatments, particularly for ailments like cancer, within closer reach of the people's homes.

PGIMER-Chandigarh director Dr Vivek Lal elaborated on the significance of these satellite centers, emphasizing that residents of Punjab would no longer need to journey to Chandigarh for specialized medical care. Instead, they could access top-notch medical services right in Ferozepur and Sangrur, thanks to the state-of-the-art facilities provided at these centers, he added.

Dr Lal said that the day marked a significant day for PGIMER Chandigarh and Punjab as the two centers would prove to be a significant boon for the border state, bringing advanced medical facilities closer to the people's homes and enabling treatment for major diseases like cancer within the vicinity.

Expressing gratitude, Dr Lal highlighted the tireless efforts of the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, under the visionary leadership of Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, in bolstering healthcare infrastructure across the nation.

Notably, the former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh had announced the establishment of these two satellite centers during the UPA-II regime. While the center in Sangrur was completed and dedicated earlier, the inauguration of the Ferozepur center occurred on Sunday.

Earlier, the foundation stone laying for the Ferozepur center was scheduled for January 5, 2022. However, the Prime Minister's convoy encountered a group of farmers near Pyareana village, just eight kilometers away from the location. After a brief halt of 20 minutes, PM Modi had to return to Delhi. Had the convoy not been halted, it's possible that the Ferozepur Satellite Center might have been dedicated to the nation on that day itself.

The Ferozepur Satellite Center, with a budget of Rs 490.54 crores, is set to have 100 indoor beds along with specialized departments and diagnostic facilities. Planned as a platinum-rated green hospital, it aims to cater to the healthcare needs of the region with cutting-edge technology and compassionate care.

Meanwhile, the ceremony in Sangrur was attended by esteemed dignitaries, including local MPs, BJP leaders, and government officials, all reaffirming their commitment to enhancing healthcare access in the state. The Sangrur Satellite Center, constructed with a budget of Rs 449 crores, sprawls across 25 acres and boasts state-of-the-art facilities. With a capacity of 300 beds, advanced operation theaters, ICUs, and emergency services, it promises to alleviate the burden on the main PGI institution and provide quality medical care to the residents.

These satellite centers represent a significant milestone in the nation's journey towards equitable healthcare access, promising hope, healing, and progress for the communities they serve.

PM virtually inaugurates Central Research Institute of Yoga and Naturopathy in Jhajjar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday virtually inaugurated the newly-constructed Central Research Institute of Yoga and Naturopathy in Devarkhana village of Jhajjar district from Rajkot, Gujarat. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, presiding over the program at Devarkhana, said that Haryana has become the first state in the country to provide universal health cover.

Under the Chirayu Ayushman Bharat scheme, a member of the Antyodaya family has the facility of free treatment up to Rs five lakh, while a nominal contribution is given by a family with an annual income of Rs three lakh, Rs 4,000 by a family with an annual income of Rs three lakh to Rs six lakh, families with annual income above Rs six lakh can avail the benefits of Chirayu Ayushman Bharat Scheme by paying an annual contribution of Rs 5,000.

“We have opened vyayam shalas in every village, and wellness centers are also being established. The poor have the foremost claim on government treasury. Our government has initiated numerous schemes for the welfare of the impoverished. Through programs like PPP, the benefits of these schemes are reaching eligible individuals in a transparent manner,” he said.

Khattar remarked that this is the first project of its kind in the field of AYUSH medicine in Haryana by the Central Government. The inauguration of this institute will benefit people from Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, he added.