Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said he achieved a turnaround in his health and capacity to work by ensuring the right amount of sleep, focussing on his food and water intake and regular exercise in the last few years. Speaking at an event here at the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) on World Liver Day, Shah shared his own experience, saying he has achieved a very big change since May 2019 till now. By having the right amount of sleep, pure water, food and exercise, I have achieved much in life. In the last 4.5 years I have become free from all allopathic medicines,” he said.
Shah urged the youth to follow a regimen of two hours of physical exercise and six hours of sleep to ensure good health.
Shah this helped in his capacity to work, think, and make decisions. The minister inaugurated an Integrated Liver Rehabilitation Centre at ILBS and also visited a cartoon gallery organised around the theme of liver health at the institute. “I enjoy cartoons, including those based on me,” Shah said in a lighter vein and lauded ILBS director Dr S Sareen for the gallery and other initiatives of the institute in creating awareness on liver health.
The home minister urged corporate houses to publicise the importance of liver health and support the institutes working in the field of liver treatment and research.
He said the Modi government's schemes such as Ujjwala Yojna, Khelo India, Fit India and other initiatives on drinking water and toilets were directly associated with the health of people. Shah said that the health budget of the government which was `37,000 crore in 2014 has now grown to `1.27 lakh crore. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said, the central government has worked to create a holistic system of healthcare in the country.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said Delhi has the responsibility of providing healthcare not only to its residents but also to people from across the country who come here for treatment and underscored to improve healthcare infrastructure. Highlighting the importance of strengthening healthcare infrastructure and upgrading medical technology, CM Gupta said, “It is our responsibility to ensure that no citizen in the country suffers due to lack of healthcare.”
“Delhi, being the capital, cannot restrict itself to treating only its residents. Patients from all over India come here for care.” Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Singh and other senior officials also attended the World Liver Day event. The chief minister stressed the need for collective efforts towards improving healthcare and praised central schemes like the Ayushman Bharat Yojana which is now available for people in Delhi. “Our elderly population, especially those above 70, are our responsibility. Taking care of their health is our duty,” she added. The chief minister said more awareness is needed on organ donation in the country. “Even after death, our organs can help save lives. I feel blessed that I was able to pledge to donate my organs 15 years ago,” she said, urging people to come forward for such noble causes.
Speaking at the event, Delhi Lt Governor VK Saxena said under CM Gupta's leadership, healthcare has become a core part of the government's policy agenda. “Delhi, as the capital, should lead in healthcare innovation and delivery. Due to past policy lapses, we fell behind, but the current government has worked hard and will continue to do more,” he said.