Bengaluru, June 1: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said Coronavirus pandemic was the biggest challenge the world is facing since the two World Wars and that the pre and post Covid world will be different.
Addressing the gathering after inaugurating the 25th Foundation Day of the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Science, through video-conference facility, here, the Prime Minister said the root of India’s brave fight against Covid-19 is the hard-work of the medical community and Corona warriors. He likened the doctors and medical workers to soldiers but without their uniforms.
The Prime Minister said, ”The virus may be an invisible enemy but our corona warriors are invincible and in the battle against the invisible vs invincible our medical workers are sure to win.”
Expressing grave concern over the violent incidents against the front-line workers, he said several steps have been taken by the government to curb them. The Government has also provided an insurance cover of Rs 50 lakhs to those on the front-line.
He had also appreciated the Karnataka government for its efforts to contain the spread of the COVID-19 disease in the state.
Compared to other states, the efforts taken by the Karnataka government to curb the menace is commendable, he said.
The Prime Minister called for a focus on human centric aspects of development instead of debates on economic issues in the era of globalisation.
He said, advancements nations make in the health sector will matter more than ever before and that the government has taken several initiatives in health-care and medical education, in the last six years.
The Prime Minister called for a four pillared strategy to improve the health care, its infrastructure and its access to one and all.
He said the first pillar would be Preventive Health Carewhere in the emphasis would be importance of Yoga, Ayurveda and General Fitness. He said more than 40,000 Wellness Centres were opened with a key focus on controlling life style related diseases. The success of Swachch Bharat mission is another key area of preventive health care.
The second pillar is – Affordable Healthcare. Prime Minister highlighted the success of Ayushman Bharat- the world’s largest healthcare scheme and how in less than two years, One crore people have benefitted from it, especially women and those living in rural areas.
The third pillar is- Improvements on the supply side. The Prime Minister said that a nation like India has to have proper medical infrastructure and medical education infrastructure.
He said, work is under-way to ensure a medical college or post-graduate medical institute in every district of the country. The Prime Minister underlined the fact that the country has seen rapid progress in setting up 22 more AIIMS.
