Amit Shah Highlights Assam's Healthcare Advancements at New Medical College Inauguration

Union Home Minister's Visit to Assam

Guwahati, March 15: On Sunday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized that the healthcare facilities in Assam have reached a level comparable to those in prominent states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Karnataka, during the inauguration of several significant health infrastructure projects in the state.

At the newly established Pragjyotishpur Medical College and Hospital located in Kalapahar, Guwahati, Shah stated that the BJP-led administration in Assam has pursued a clear objective to enhance healthcare and medical education.

He remarked, “The state government under BJP has aimed to align Assam’s health services with those of Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Karnataka, and it has succeeded.”

Shah highlighted the necessity of expanding medical education infrastructure across the nation, enabling Indian doctors to provide care not just domestically but also internationally.

“It is crucial to have comprehensive facilities for medical studies, allowing students to treat patients both in India and globally,” he noted.

The Union Home Minister expressed confidence that with the growth of hospitals and medical institutions in the region, residents of Assam and the broader Northeast would no longer need to travel long distances for medical care.

“I believe that patients from Assam and even those from the Northeast will not have to travel far for treatment,” Shah stated.

During the event, Shah inaugurated and laid the foundation for healthcare projects totaling Rs 2,092 crore in Assam, which includes the Rs 675 crore Pragjyotishpur Medical College and Hospital along with its Saraswatidevi Shivkishan Daamani Academic Block.

He also virtually inaugurated cancer care centers in Golaghat and Tinsukia, developed under the Assam Cancer Care Foundation, a collaboration between the Assam government and Tata Trusts, each costing Rs 135 crore.

Additionally, Shah virtually laid the groundwork for several major healthcare projects, including three super-speciality hospitals at Diphu Medical College, Jorhat Medical College, and Barpeta Medical College, with a total investment of Rs 814 crore, along with a Rs 218 crore Swasthya Bhawan in Guwahati and a Rs 115 crore district health center in Abhayapuri.

Officials indicated that the proposed super-speciality hospitals would incur costs of approximately Rs 220 crore in Diphu, Rs 310 crore in Jorhat, and Rs 284 crore in Barpeta.

Shah also mentioned the Ayushman Bharat Yojana initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alongside a state-level health insurance scheme introduced by the Assam government.

“Currently, around 85% of the population in Assam does not have to spend money for treatments up to Rs 5 lakh,” he added.

The Home Minister further pointed out advancements in maternal healthcare services in the state, stating, “Previously, about 70% of deliveries occurred at home due to inadequate facilities. Now, thanks to the network of hospitals, PHCs, CHCs, and ambulances, around 98% of deliveries take place in hospitals.”

Shah criticized the former Congress government for its neglect of the health sector in the region, saying, “Consider the state of health facilities in the Northeast a decade ago. Assam’s health sector was in a dire state.”

He accused the Congress government of misappropriating Rs 150 crore annually from the state’s healthcare budget during its 15 years in power.

Referring to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who represented Assam in Parliament for many years, Shah remarked that there was little improvement in the state’s health infrastructure during that time.

“In just ten years under our government, I can proudly assert that the BJP has made Assam’s health sector and health education self-sufficient,” he stated.

Shah also alleged corruption in welfare schemes during the Congress administration, claiming that funds were misused in Anganwadi projects and mid-day meal schemes.

He highlighted the significant increase in the health sector budget in Assam, stating, “Under the Congress government, approximately Rs 150 crore was allocated annually for health. In contrast, the BJP government has raised the health sector budget in Assam to around Rs 9,000 crore.”

Shah also criticized Rahul Gandhi regarding protests by Congress workers during an AI summit, alleging that the opposition leader was targeting the nation while opposing the BJP.

“While protesting against Prime Minister Modi and the BJP, Rahul Gandhi has now begun protesting against India as well,” Shah concluded.