Modi resolves to launch ‘Clean India’ campaign in 2019 and ‘Healthy India’ campaign in 2022(video)

Belgaum, 19 December 2013

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today resolved to launch ‘Clean India’ campaign in 2019 to mark Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary and ‘‘Healthy India’ campaign in 2022 to mark 75th anniversary of India’s independence.

Inaugurating the golden jubilee celebration of Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College run by Karnataka Lingayat Education Society at Belgaum, he hailed the society’s 100 years of human and social welfare activities. He also inaugurated the latest technology-savvy laboratory of Medical University.

Mr. Modi expressed concern at the deteriorating healthcare situation in the country. While there is steady increase in diseases and patients, he said, there is a severe shortage of doctors and paramedical staff, having adverse impact on health services. India has to import medical equipment in huge quantity, resulting in adverse impact on Indian economy. There is a crying need to carry out medical research and human resource development in this sector.

He also stressed on the need to take care of preventive healthcare, create awareness about social hygiene and public awareness in the wake of air and water pollution and adulteration. High cost of medication force poor people to go for debt. He said that every patient brought to hospital bed should be entitled to ‘health insurance’, but much more important thing is ‘health assurance’.

Mr. Modi said the ‘Chiranjeevi Yojna’ being implemented in Gujarat achieved fair degree of success in reducing infant and maternal morality rate because of people’s participation and qualitative improvement of health services.

He asserted that India has the potential to emerge as an influential storehouse of knowledge in the world, backed by centuries of its wisdom inherited from seers and saints.

The function was attended by a large number of students and guests.

Mr. Modi was earlier accorded a warm welcome at the Belgaum airport by leaders of the Gujarati community.