Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav said that Madhya Pradesh is achieving a historic and unprecedented milestone in the healthcare sector. Foundation stone laying ceremonies for medical colleges are being held in two tribal-dominated districts of the state. He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda on behalf of the people of the state for their efforts in providing affordable, accessible, and quality healthcare services to the last person in the last mile. This will be the country's first medical college to be built under the Public-Private Partnership model. This initiative is starting from Madhya Pradesh. In the PPP model, society and the government will work together to strengthen healthcare services and ensure better treatment for every individual. Service and development are the core principles of our government, and the last two years have been unprecedented in terms of public welfare and development. Madhya Pradesh is the only state in the country where metro train services have been launched in two major cities – Bhopal and Indore – within a year. Air services are also expanding in the state. Now, air services are available from Rewa to Indore and New Delhi. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav was addressing a program organized at PG College ground in Dhar for the foundation stone laying ceremony of the medical college under the PPP model. Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Chemicals and Fertilizers, Shri J.P. Nadda was also present. Nadda was the chief guest at the program. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav and Union Minister Mr. Nadda jointly laid the foundation stone of the medical college and inaugurated and performed the groundbreaking ceremony for development projects in Dhar district by pressing a remote button.
Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, said that the foundation stone laying ceremony of the medical college in Dhar is a historic occasion for the country. Madhya Pradesh has provided leadership to the country in the field of health. With innovative thinking and public participation, the first medical college in the country based on the Public-Private Partnership model is being started in the state. Madhya Pradesh has led the country in this matter. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, a major transformation has taken place in the country's healthcare system. Now, the country is emphasizing preventive care over curative treatment, focusing on prevention and lifestyle changes before the onset of illness. 181,000 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs are operational across the country for holistic medicine. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India is moving towards becoming the world's third-largest economy.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav informed that in August of this year, agreements were signed for the establishment of four new medical colleges in Betul, Katni, Dhar, and Panna under the PPP model. Today, the foundation stones for Dhar and Betul are being laid. The foundation stones for medical colleges in Katni and Panna will also be laid soon. After these districts, preparations are underway to establish similar medical colleges in Bhind, Morena, Khargone, Ashoknagar, Guna, Balaghat, Tikamgarh, Sidhi, and Shajapur. The medical college in Dhar district is being constructed on 25 acres of land at a cost of Rs. 260 crore. The Swami Vivekananda Shiksha Dham Foundation has partnered with the government for this medical college. By providing 25 acres of land to the foundation on a lease of Re. 1, the state government has paved the way for strengthening health and medical education. Now, the people of Dhar will not have to travel to big cities for treatment. Local tribal children will also get the opportunity to become doctors. Nursing and paramedical courses will also be offered here.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that until 2002-03, there were only 5 medical colleges in the state. Now, the number of medical colleges in the state has increased to 33. In the last two years, 6 government medical colleges have been started in the state. These include medical colleges in the tribal areas of Singrauli and Sheopur. The state government has sanctioned 354 posts for Senior Resident doctors. Continuing the sickle cell anemia campaign in the state, more than 1.25 crore people have been screened. In Dhar, more than 15 lakh people have been screened under the sickle cell program. Upgradation of 800 beds and sanctioning of 810 new posts for doctors are being provided in the hospitals of Tikamgarh, Neemuch, Singrauli, Sheopur, and Dindori districts of the state. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that Dhar is blessed by Rishi Dadhichi and Mother Narmada. It is also the birthplace of Shri Kushabhau Thakre, the founding father and former national president of the Jan Sangh. Under the guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Dhar district has received numerous development projects in the last four months. On his 75th birthday, Prime Minister Modi laid the foundation stone for the country's first PM MITRA Park in Dhar. This textile-based industrial park will benefit cotton-producing farmers in the region and create more than 300,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities.