The Ayushman Bhav program was held at Hotel Kalchuri with the Chief Guest, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Health and Medical Education, Rajendra Shukla. The event was attended by several dignitaries including Mayor Jagat Bahadur Singh Annu, MP Ashish Dubey, MLA Ashok Rohani, Sushil Tiwari Indu, Santosh Barkade, Dr. Abhilash Pandey, Former MLA Vinay Saxena, BJP City President Ratnesh Sonkar, and prominent doctors from the district.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla emphasized the rapid progress happening in the state and the nation, with India moving towards becoming an economic superpower. He mentioned the continuous improvements in the health sector, expanding healthcare facilities to ensure accessible services for the general public. He proudly stated that Madhya Pradesh has shed the label of being a "Bimaru State" and is now focused on progressive reforms. Shukla highlighted ongoing efforts in education, healthcare, and employment, particularly noting the operation of 30 medical colleges in the state.
Discussing the expansion of healthcare facilities, he mentioned that the state is in the process of recruiting for 30,000 medical positions, with recruitment expected to be completed by September-October. This will ensure availability of doctors in district hospitals, community health centers, and primary health centers. Shukla also highlighted that Maha-Kausal region’s healthcare facilities will soon surpass those of major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Nagpur. Advanced machines for cancer treatment are soon to be introduced in Jabalpur, and the bone marrow transplant unit has already started functioning in the city.
Further, Shukla addressed the Ayushman Bharat Scheme, describing it as a revolutionary health initiative, ensuring accessible healthcare for economically disadvantaged individuals. He noted that from 2018 to 2024, the government has already made payments amounting to Rs 9,000 crores under the scheme. To prevent any discrepancies, he mentioned that a Vigilance Team is continuously monitoring the scheme.
Shukla also acknowledged the challenges some elderly individuals face in creating Ayushman cards due to worn-out fingerprints and informed that retina scans are now being used to generate these cards. He stressed that health reforms in the state are moving rapidly, and free screening programs are being conducted across the state. He advised residents to prioritize their health, emphasizing that telemedicine is now available as a convenient option.
In his closing remarks, the Deputy Chief Minister reaffirmed the state's commitment to rapidly expanding healthcare services, ensuring that every patient receives prompt and quality medical care. He concluded by urging people to take precautionary health measures, highlighting the importance of preventive care in today’s world.