“COVID-19 Pandemic Has Taught Us An Important Lesson,” Says Prime Minister Narendra Modi

New Delhi: “The budget allocated for the health sector now is extraordinary,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing a webinar on the budget implementation of the health sector. PM Modi said that the budget for the health sector shows their ‘commitment to this sector’. The Prime Minister further said that last year was “trial by fire” for India and its health sector because of COVID-19 but the country successfully overcame the challenge.

Also Read: WHO Warns Unequal COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Can Lead To Global Risk  

The COVID-19 pandemic has taught us a lesson to be prepared to fight similar challenges in future. Last year was trial by fire for India, world and the whole of humanity. I am pleased to say that country’s health sector has successfully overcome this challenge. We succeeded in saving scores of lives, PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister further explained that such pandemics and health crisis are the primary reasons why it is essential to strengthen our health sector.

We have to focus on everything. Form medical equipment to medicines, from ventilators to vaccines, from scientific research to surveillance infrastructure. Today, the world’s trust in India’s health sector is at a new high. We have to be prepared for the increasing demand for the ‘Made in India’ vaccines, PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister also stated that to keep India healthy, the government is working on four main things – prevention of illness and promotion of wellness, healthcare access to all, building health infrastructure and increase in quality and quantity of healthcare professionals, to work in a focused manner.

Also Read: Union Budget 2021 Explained: Decoding The 137 Per Cent Increase In Health Expenditure

Underscoring the significant importance of health and wellbeing for the growth and development of the country, the Budget allocation for the same was increased to Rs 2,23,846 crore in 2021-22 as against this year’s Rs 94,452 crore, according to an official release. This manifests into an increase of 137 per cent, it added.

Furthermore, at the webinar, the Prime Minister said that the Central government is aiming to eliminate tuberculosis (TB) from the country by 2025.

He added that the Centre is not only investing in healthcare but also focusing on bringing in employment opportunities. Addressing the webinar where they discussed the budget implementation of the health sector, PM Modi said,

We aim to eliminate tuberculosis from the country by 2025. Wearing masks, early diagnosis and treatment are also important in its prevention.

Also Read: Top Medical Journal Calls For Three Urgent Steps Against COVID-19

The annual TB report 2020 released in June last year revealed that that around 24.04 lakh TB patients have been notified in 2019. This amounts to a 14 per cent increase in TB notification as compared to the year 2018.

On the government’s plan to invest in the health sector, PM Modi said,

Centre is not only investing in healthcare but making sure that such facilities are made available in remote areas too. Investment in healthcare also focuses on bringing in employment opportunities.

NDTV – Dettol Banega Swasth India campaign is an extension of the five-year-old Banega Swachh India initiative helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. It aims to spread awareness about critical health issues facing the country. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign highlights the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children to prevent maternal and child mortality, fight malnutrition, stunting, wasting, anaemia and disease prevention through vaccines. Importance of programmes like Public Distribution System (PDS), Mid-day Meal Scheme, POSHAN Abhiyan and the role of Aganwadis and ASHA workers are also covered. Only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and become a Swasth or healthy India. The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene.