Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with beneficiaries of various healthcare efforts of the Central government on Thursday. Speaking to lakhs of people through video conferencing, PM Modi said that the government's constant endeavour is to ensure affordable healthcare to every Indian.
Thousands of Jan Aushadhi Kendras have been opened across India as part of the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana which aims to provide medicine to people at affordable price and end 'medicine mafia'. The scheme was originally launched in 2008.
Highlights of PM Modi's address:
# Earlier, for dialysis I had to travel all the way to Vadodara but now things have changed due to the efforts of the Central Government: Rukshana Ben from Chhota Udepur in Gujarat
# For the last three years I have been undergoing dialysis. Treatment in private hospitals was turning out to be expensive. The dialysis centres of the Government of India have reduced my costs: Vijay Babu Ji from Andhra Pradesh
# Knee transplants have become cheaper and this helps me a lot. Due to this, I can work more: Laxmi Devi Ji from Alwar Rajasthan
# For two months I was in great pain. Doctors said I would require a stent. My wife also had the same problem sometime back but I saw the difference in cost of stents for her and me. Cheaper stents is a wonderful thing and I thank PM for it: Veerbhan Singh Ji from Lucknow
# The Government of India has reduced prices of stents substantially. This is helping the poor and the middle class the most: PM
# I must also add, there was no corruption in the process to set up these stores. Things are very transparent: Anjan Ji from Ramgarh, Jharkhand
# I am running a store under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojna. I see that poor people from various parts come to the store and purchase medicines at affordable. I feel very happy that my effort is helping others: Anjan Ji from Ramgarh, Jharkhand
# Five months ago I developed a cholesterol and high blood pressure problem. Every ten days I spent Rs. 1000 but due to Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojna the cost has come down to Rs. 200. Now, I purchase stock in advance. Life has become easier: Mala Ji from Hyderabad
# I am fighting blood pressure, diabetes and a cholesterol problem. Due to the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojna, we are getting medicines at affordable rates. We spent Rs. 3000 earlier now it costs Rs. 400: Subhas Mohanty from Odisha
# Access to medicines is a big concern for the poor. To ensure the poor get access to affordable medicines, the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojna has been launched. Several people are benefitting due to this Yojana across India: PM Modi
# Due to illness, the financial burden is immense for the poor and the middle class. Our constant endeavour is to ensure affordable healthcare to every Indian: PM Modi
# Our aim is to eliminate tuberculosis from India by 2025, five years ahead of a globally-set deadline: PM Modi
# Swachh Bharat Mission is playing a central role in creating a healthy India: PM Modi
# Government has reduced stent prices substantially and this is helping the poor and the middle class the most: PM Modi
Under the PMBJP, which was launched in 2008, the government provides more than 600 medicines and 150 medical devices through Jan Aushadhi kendras. The Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI) is the nodal implementation agency for this programme.
WATCH: What PM Modi said
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