Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the RJ Sankara Eye Hospital in Varanasi, marking a significant step toward improving healthcare services in the region. The hospital offers advanced eye care services and will provide free treatment to the underprivileged. During the visit, PM Modi toured an exhibition displayed on the premises.
In his address, the Prime Minister noted the spiritual significance of visiting Kashi during this festive period and mentioned receiving blessings from saints, including Param Pujya Shankaracharya. He highlighted the importance of blending spirituality with modern healthcare, expressing confidence that the hospital would serve patients of all ages while creating new employment and internship opportunities for medical students and staff.
PM Modi reflected on his long-standing association with the Sankara Eye Foundation, recalling similar initiatives he undertook during his tenure as the Chief Minister of Gujarat. He acknowledged the philanthropic legacy of Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, praising his wife, Rekha Jhunjhunwala, for continuing his work. Modi expressed gratitude to the Sankara Eye and Chitrakoot Eye Hospitals for fulfilling his request to establish healthcare facilities in Varanasi.
The Prime Minister emphasized that Varanasi is evolving beyond its cultural identity to become a major healthcare hub for UP and Purvanchal. He cited numerous healthcare advancements, including the BHU Trauma Center, super-specialty hospitals, and enhanced medical services at Kabir Chaura and Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospitals. Modi highlighted the addition of modern cancer treatment facilities, which has reduced the need for patients to travel to Delhi or Mumbai. Thousands of patients from Bihar and Jharkhand now seek treatment in Varanasi.
Reflecting on past healthcare challenges, the Prime Minister criticized earlier governments for neglecting Purvanchal’s medical needs. He noted that brain fever outbreaks caused several child fatalities due to a lack of healthcare infrastructure a decade ago. However, Modi highlighted significant progress in the last 10 years, including the establishment of over 100 brain fever treatment centers, the addition of 10,000 new hospital beds, and the creation of 5,500 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs in rural areas. Dialysis units have also been expanded, offering free treatment where services were previously unavailable.
PM Modi outlined the government’s five-pillar healthcare strategy: preventive care, timely diagnosis, affordable treatment, improved medical infrastructure, and technology integration. He emphasized the need to prevent illness through cleanliness, yoga, nutrition, and ayurveda, adding that disease often drives people into poverty. With improved vaccination coverage under Mission Indradhanush, vaccination rates have increased rapidly, protecting millions of children and pregnant women.
The Prime Minister stressed the importance of early detection, noting the establishment of Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and critical care networks for diseases like cancer and diabetes. He mentioned that initiatives such as PM Jan Aushadhi Kendras provide affordable medicines, reducing treatment costs by 25%. The Ayushman Bharat scheme has provided free medical care worth up to ₹5 lakh for over 7.5 crore patients.
PM Modi further highlighted the government’s efforts to decentralize healthcare, establishing medical colleges, AIIMS campuses, and super-specialty hospitals in smaller cities. Thousands of medical seats have been added, with a plan to introduce 75,000 more seats in the coming years to address the shortage of doctors.
Technology also plays a key role, as the Prime Minister noted the success of the e-Sanjeevani teleconsultation app, which has facilitated 30 crore consultations. Modi expressed optimism about India’s future in healthcare, including the use of drones for delivering medical services.
Concluding his speech, PM Modi expressed confidence that a healthy youth population would contribute to building a prosperous India. He extended his best wishes to healthcare professionals and thanked Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and Sri Shankara Vijayendra Saraswathi, among others, for their presence at the event.
(Input From Various Sources)
(Rehash/Ankur Deka/MSM)