Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that providing affordable and high-quality healthcare services to people is one of the government’s top priorities. It is our responsibility to free people from the burden of medical expenses. The government is continuously working to ensure better healthcare services for all sections of society. The Prime Minister made these remarks at the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Bageshwar Dham Medical Science & Research Institute, which is being built at a cost of Rs. 218 crores in Garha, Chhatarpur district.
During the ceremony, prominent figures including Governor Mangubhai Patel, Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, Khajuraho MP V.D. Sharma, Saint Ram Bhadracharya, Bageshwar Dham Peethadhishwar Pandit Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, national storyteller Sadhvi Ritambhara Didi, and Mahant Balak Yogeshwar Das Ji were present.
Prime Minister Modi began his speech in the Bundeli dialect, greeting people with folded hands and saying, "Mori taraf se doi haath jod ke Ram Ram." He expressed his joy at visiting the land of warriors twice in the past 60 days. He emphasized that Bageshwar Dham is not only a center of faith but is now becoming a center of healthcare as well. He praised the efforts of Bageshwar Dham Jan Seva Samiti in constructing a cancer hospital and lauded Pandit Dhirendra Shastri for this noble initiative.
The Prime Minister urged people above 30 years of age to undergo regular health check-ups and to immediately consult a health institution in case of any doubt. He warned against the dangers of smoking, tobacco, gutkha, and pan masala, emphasizing the need to stay away from these harmful substances.
Before 2014, poor people in India were more afraid of the cost of treatment than the disease itself, the Prime Minister stated. To address this concern, the Ayushman Bharat Scheme was launched, providing free treatment up to Rs 5 lakhs per person. Now, even senior citizens above 70 years of age are eligible for free treatment under this scheme. He urged people to report any instance of corruption or demand for bribes in the scheme.
PM Modi highlighted the launch of PM Jan Aushadhi Kendras, where medicines are available at an 80% discount. He mentioned that in this year’s budget, the cost of cancer medicines has been reduced. The government is planning to establish cancer daycare centers in every district in the next three years. To tackle kidney disease, over 1,500 dialysis centers have been opened across 700 districts, providing free dialysis services.
The Mahakumbh in Prayagraj is a symbol of unity and service, PM Modi said. He praised sanitation workers for maintaining cleanliness at the event and acknowledged the efforts of police officers and personnel in ensuring security. He also highlighted the Netra Mahakumbh, where over 2 lakh people received eye check-ups, 1.5 lakh were given free medicines and spectacles, and 16,000 free cataract surgeries were performed.
Modi praised Pandit Dhirendra Shastri’s efforts in spreading the message of unity and raising awareness about healthcare. He expressed his commitment to attending the inauguration of the cancer hospital once it is completed.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said that the Medical Science & Research Institute being built at Bageshwar Dham will set a new precedent in the country, where underprivileged and suffering patients will receive free treatment. He welcomed PM Modi to Bundelkhand, calling it a day of great enthusiasm and excitement for the region.
Yadav credited PM Modi’s leadership for projects like the Ken-Betwa river linking, bringing water security to Bundelkhand. He highlighted India’s economic rise from 11th to 5th place globally under Modi’s leadership and congratulated Pandit Dhirendra Krishna Shastri for initiating the cancer hospital project.
