Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a comprehensive speech at Rajkot, unveiled five new AIIMS located in Rajkot, Bathinda, Raebareli, Kalyani, and Mangalagiri. Modi focused on the difference between political promises and actions, highlighting that his administration had delivered on the guarantee of establishing an AIIMS in Raebareli previously pledged but overlooked. Further shining a light on the completion of another promise, he referred to the AIIMS in Kalyani, West Bengal, as an example of his commitment to advancing healthcare in India.
Reflecting on his accomplishments, Modi underscored the rapid development of AIIMS across the states, contrasting it with the stagnant growth of such institutes post-independence until his tenure began. At the same time, he took the opportunity to make a political jibe anchored to the significance of Raebareli, a known Congress bastion represented by Sonia Gandhi in successive terms and speculated for Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s potential candidacy. Modi’s narrative emphasized the waning influence of Congress in Raebareli in light of prior election results amidst a high-stakes battle expected in the region’s political arena.
Simultaneously, in a virtual event from Rajkot, Modi took the opportunity to dedicate the AIIMS in Mangalagiri to the nation. A hefty sum of nearly ₹1,620 crore was allocated to establish this premier medical institution. Andhra Pradesh Governor S. Abdul Nazeer celebrated the AIIMS as a center of excellence in health and wellness, acknowledging its significant role during the COVID-19 pandemic and marking over one million outpatient consultations by April 2023. Health initiatives like Ayushman Bharat and other national missions have been pillars in India’s healthcare revolution, as Modi’s ministerial colleagues hailed the expansion of AIIMS as a testament to the ten-year transformation under Modi’s leadership. India’s public healthcare system has allegedly improved remarkably, as seen in the vast healthcare infrastructure developments, Ayushman Bharat’s enactment, and the global recognition for India’s COVID-19 response.
The Prime Minister’s agenda also included the inauguration of multiple healthcare projects in North Andhra Pradesh. In Visakhapatnam, Modi opened a state-of-the-art Microbiology Food Testing Laboratory, and in Srikakulam, a 50-bed critical care block began operations. Additionally, an ESI Model Dispensary cum Diagnostic Centre and a critical care block in a government hospital were launched in Vizianagaram district. Lastly, a 100-bed ESIC hospital was virtually inaugurated in Kakinada, promising to serve over 2.5 lakh beneficiaries under the ESIC scheme in the Godavari region, thus amplifying the reach of effective healthcare services throughout the nation.