India's Approach Not Limited To Health, But Also Wellness: PM Modi Addresses Post Budget Session

While presenting the Union Budget 2023-24, FM Nirmala Sitharaman had listed Inclusive development as one of the priorities of the government which includes establishment of 157 new Nursing Colleges,

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday addressed the post-budget session on health and medical research via video conferencing. During his address, the Prime Minister said corona showed that efficient health systems of developed nation also collapsed. " World now much more focussed on health. But India's approach not restricted to healthcare but we're also working on wellness," he said. 

During his address, PM Modi also talked about bolstering health facility in the country, Ayushman Bharat and Jan Aushadhi centres and human resources related to health infrastructure in the country.

Here are some of the top quotes from PM Modi's address. 

• India consistently trying to ensure minimal dependence on foreign countries in health care


• Corona also taught us that supply chain has become a very important matter. When pandemic was at its peak, for some countries even live-saving things like medicines, vaccines, and medical devices had become weapons


• For several decades after independence, there was lack of an integrated approach & a long-term vision in health. We have not kept healthcare restricted only to Health Ministry but have emphasised on whole of govt approach


• It has been our govt's highest priority to make medical treatment affordable in India. That has been the thought behind free medical treatment upto Rs 5 Lakhs under Ayushman Bharat. Under this, approx Rs 80,000 Cr that would've been spent on medical treatments were saved


• For serious diseases, quality & modern health infra in country is important. Govt's focus is also on the aspect that people get testing facilities near their house & there be better facility first aid. For this, 1.5 Lakh health & wellness centres being prepared in country


• Our entrepreneurs should ensure India doesn't have to import any technology and becomes self-reliant

While presenting the Union Budget 2023-24, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had listed Inclusive development as one of the priorities of the government which includes establishment of 157 new Nursing Colleges, encouraging Public & Private Medical Research in ICMR labs and Pharma Innovation & multidisciplinary courses for medical devices.

The Webinar will have three simultaneous Breakout Sessions covering both Health and Pharma sectors. Besides Ministers and Secretaries of the concerned Central Government Ministries / Departments, a host of stakeholders drawn from Health Departments of State/UT Governments, subject experts, representatives of Industries / Associations, Private medical colleges / hospitals / institutes, etc. would attend the Webinar and contribute through suggestions for better implementation of the Budget Announcements, read the press release by the health ministry. 

The themes of Breakout Sessions are Qualitative improvement in Nursing: Infrastructure, Education & Practice; Public & Private sector utilization of ICMR labs as facilitator for Medical Research; and Pharma innovation and multidisciplinary courses for medical devices, it added. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address 12 post-Budget webinars to push the efforts by the union ministries to build on the "Saptarishi" objectives listed in the Union Budget 2023. These webinars will focus on synergizing efforts of various ministers and departments and all concerned stakeholders towards preparing action plans with quarterly targets. This will ensure that the implementation is front-ended and smooth with the timely achievement of outcomes.