Emphasising that due income disparity, many do not have access to healthcare in our society, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said the Government is working towards providing best healthcare for the poor and needy with the Ayushman Bharat scheme. However, he stressed on private sector’s participation to achieve universal healthcare goal.
Speaking at the 127th Founder’s Day of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital (SGRH), the Union Home Minister said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set an aim to increase the share of healthcare sector in the country's gross domestic product (GDP) to 2.5 per cent.
“Healthcare spending by Government of India today is 1.2 per cent of GDP. Our Prime Minister has set a target of 2.5 per cent of GDP, which our Government will achieve soon ,” he said.
“Ayushman Bharat scheme is ambitious scheme which needs heavy investment especially in the field of preventive and promotive healthcare. For this our Government needs support of Private Sector,” said Rajnath.
The Home Minister also inaugurated eleven floor multi-level car parking having capacity to accommodate over 800 vehicles in the hospital complex. Hospital authorities informed that the parking block is a pre-requisite for further construction and expansion of the hospital complex. He also laid foundation stone of Radiotherapy & OPD Block.
The Minister, in his speech, also hailed Sir Ganga Ram and his legacy, saying he is remembered both in India and Pakistan for his contribution, despite the partition in 1947. Singh also emphasised that everyone in the country must know that there is the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi as well as in Pakistan.