President Droupadi Murmu, in her ceremonial address to the joint sitting of Parliament at the commencement of the Budget Session, highlighted the Union government’s sustained focus on strengthening India’s public healthcare system, describing health and well-being as a central pillar of inclusive national development.
Addressing members of both Houses, the President underscored that the government’s vision of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” places accessible, affordable and quality healthcare at the heart of human capital development, with special emphasis on the poor, vulnerable and underserved sections of society.
The President noted that since its launch, the Ayushman Bharat Jan Arogya Yojana has provided over 11 crore hospital treatments, significantly expanding access to secondary and tertiary healthcare. In the last year alone, around 2.5 crore poor and vulnerable citizens benefitted from free medical treatment under government health schemes.
Special initiatives for senior citizens were also highlighted. According to the President, nearly one crore Ayushman Vay Vandana Cards have been issued over the past one and a half years, enabling about eight lakh elderly citizens to access free healthcare services.
Emphasising the strengthening of primary healthcare, President Murmu said that 1.80 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs are now operational across the country. These centres are playing a critical role in delivering comprehensive primary healthcare services, particularly in rural, remote and underserved areas.
The address also drew attention to the government’s mission-mode approach to disease prevention and public health management. Under the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission, more than 6.5 crore people – especially in tribal, rural and remote regions – have been screened, enabling early diagnosis and prevention. Sustained public health interventions have also led to effective control of Japanese Encephalitis and related diseases, particularly in endemic districts of Uttar Pradesh.
Highlighting regional development, the President said the past decade has been transformative for healthcare infrastructure in the Northeast. The establishment of a State Cancer Institute in Itanagar, a medical college in Shivsagar in Assam, another medical college in Sichey in Sikkim, and a women and children’s hospital in Agartala are expected to significantly improve healthcare access for millions of families in the region.
President Murmu also reiterated the government’s commitment to women’s health and empowerment. Under the ‘Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar’ campaign conducted in September, nearly seven crore women underwent health check-ups, enabling early intervention and timely medical care. She noted that women have made notable progress across aspirational sectors due to focused policy interventions.
In a major public health milestone, the President announced that the World Health Organization has declared India a trachoma-free country, marking global recognition of India’s sustained efforts to eliminate preventable diseases.
Concluding her address, President Murmu reaffirmed the government’s resolve to further expand healthcare infrastructure, strengthen flagship health schemes and pursue citizen-centric reforms to build a resilient, inclusive and future-ready healthcare system for the nation.
