Prime Minister Narendra Modi spotlighted India’s major health initiatives on Wednesday, saying programs like Ayushman Bharat, POSHAN Abhiyaan, and Swachh Bharat are cutting down diseases and strengthening the nation’s human capital.
The Prime Minister’s Office shared a compelling article by Dr. Devi Prasad Shetty, Chairman of Narayana Health, on social media platform X. In it, the renowned cardiologist explains how India’s healthcare system is fueling economic growth. “Initiatives like Ayushman Bharat, POSHAN Abhiyaan, and Swachh Bharat are reducing disease, protecting household savings, and building human capital,” the PMO post highlighted. It added that viewing health as an investment rather than a cost is driving better governance and prosperity.
Shetty’s piece traces the shift in healthcare policy under Modi’s leadership since 2014. What started as welfare efforts has evolved into a strategy for “Viksit Bharat”—a developed India by 2047. He argues that strong governance in healthcare equals smart economic policy.
Take Ayushman Bharat, launched in 2018. It’s the world’s largest government-funded health insurance scheme, covering over 550 million vulnerable people with affordable care. This has slashed out-of-pocket expenses through better social security and primary health investments. Health Ministry data shows more than 98.4 million hospital admissions, worth over 1.4 lakh crore rupees, approved under the AB PM-JAY scheme by June.
Then there’s POSHAN Abhiyaan, also rolled out in 2018 to fight malnutrition in pregnant women, new mothers, and young kids—a huge issue in India. Shetty points out that better early nutrition will pay off big time, boosting productivity for decades to come.
Swachh Bharat Mission gets credit too for its massive sanitation push. The campaign built tens of millions of toilets in villages and towns, nearly wiping out open defecation. This has curbed waterborne diseases and saved an estimated 60,000 to 70,000 infant lives each year, Shetty noted.
Overall, Shetty wraps up that India’s health sector transformation proves how public policy can deliver both fairness and economic energy. By treating healthcare as a key to productivity, Modi has changed the story from handouts to smart investments.
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