Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya Hosts 50 Nursing Officers, Special Guests On Independence Day

New Delhi: Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Mansukh Mandaviya hosted 50 nursing officers who were Special Guests at the 77th Independence Day, at his residence on Tuesday (August 15). He also praised their tireless efforts for saving the nation from the pandemic. As part of the Independence Day celebrations in New Delhi, 50 Nurses along with their family members from across the country were invited as Special Guests to witness and participate in the celebrations from the ramparts of the Red Fort, a press release from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said.

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These Special Guests were part of the 1800 special guests from various walks of life ranging from Sarpanches, teachers, farmers, and fishermen.

Dr. Mandaviya appreciated the nurses for their marvellous and tireless efforts for changing the country’s fortunes. Underlining the contribution of the nursing profession and the medical fraternity, Dr. Mandaviya emphasised that their efforts laid the foundation for the global recognition, trust and praise garnered by India from the world.

Lauding the nurses’ dedication, Dr. Mandaviya said,

Their service during the pandemic will be remembered forever. This is our culture that taught us to serve people. Health is not a commerce but a service which is inherent in our culture. The world was sceptical about our health infrastructure but when COVID-19 was over, I visited the World Economic Forum in Davos where Bill Gates congratulated India on its triumph over Covid, Dr Mandaviya said.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi appreciated the nurses, doctors and others for their efforts for changing the fortunes of the country. Narendra Modi mentioned that the pandemic has taught people that development is not possible without a human-centric approach.

Accentuating the efforts of the government to improve the Universal Health Coverage of the country, he said that the government has invested Rs. 70,000 crores in Ayushman Bharat which provides Rs.5 lakh annual health guarantee to the BPL families, the release mentioned.

Addressing the nation on the occasion, he lauded the exemplary contribution of health workers specially Anganwadi workers and ASHA workers for their dedication and persistent efforts in achieving the milestone of over 200 crore Covid vaccinations. He further said,

Helping the world during and after COVID has established India as a friend to the world.

Highlighting the vision of One Earth, One Health and One Future, he said that Jan Aushadhi Kendras have given new strength to the middle class of the country by savings of Rs. 20,000 crores. The Prime Minister affirmed that the nation is going to work in the coming days with the target of increasing the number of Jan Aushadhi Kendras to 25,000 from the present number of 10000 Kendras.

Watch: “Government Working On Increasing Healthcare Infrastructure And Accessibility,” Says Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

NDTV – Dettol have been working towards a clean and healthy India since 2014 via the Banega Swachh India initiative, which is helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. The campaign aims to highlight the inter-dependency of humans and the environment, and of humans on one another with the focus on One Health, One Planet, One Future – Leaving No One Behind. It stresses on the need to take care of, and consider, everyone’s health in India – especially vulnerable communities – theLGBTQ population,indigenous people, India’s different tribes, ethnic and linguistic minorities, people with disabilities, migrants, geographically remote populations, gender and sexual minorities. In wake of the currentCOVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water,SanitationandHygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign will continue to raise awareness on the same along with focussing on the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children, fightmalnutrition, mental wellbeing, self care, science and health,adolescent health & gender awareness. Along with the health of people, the campaign has realised the need to also take care of the health of the eco-system. Our environment is fragile due to human activity, which is not only over-exploiting available resources, but also generating immense pollution as a result of using and extracting those resources. The imbalance has also led to immense biodiversity loss that has caused one of the biggest threats to human survival – climate change. It has now been described as a “code red for humanity.” The campaign will continue to cover issues likeair pollution,waste management,plastic ban,manual scavengingand sanitation workers andmenstrual hygiene. Banega Swasth India will also be taking forward the dream of Swasth Bharat, the campaign feels that only a Swachh or clean India wheretoiletsare used andopen defecation free (ODF)status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched byPrime Minister Narendra Modiin 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and the country can become a Swasth or healthy India.