PM Modi Lays Foundation for AIIMS in Darbhanga: ₹12,100 Crore Project

On a historic day in Darbhanga, Bihar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with Bihar's Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, laid the foundation for multiple transformative projects worth over ₹12,100 crore, most notably a new All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). This institution promises to elevate the healthcare standards in Bihar and benefit nearby regions, including West Bengal and even neighboring Nepal. It is a monumental step aimed not only at advancing healthcare access but also at spurring economic growth and providing numerous job opportunities in the area.

Highlighting the government's ambitious plans to expand healthcare, PM Modi announced a staggering 100,000 additional medical seats across India, with another 75,000 seats soon to follow. "Our government has added 1 lakh medical seats and will add 75,000 more," he declared, underscoring the drive to make medical education more accessible and create a new generation of healthcare professionals. With this AIIMS, local patients and those from Mithila, Kosi, and Tirhut regions will have access to cutting-edge treatments closer to home.

PM Modi outlined a comprehensive five-point healthcare vision that spans disease prevention, accurate diagnosis, affordable treatments, enhanced facilities in smaller towns, and technology integration. This approach, he explained, will bring reliable and advanced healthcare services to people in all corners of India, making quality healthcare a basic right rather than a privilege. Additionally, the Ayushman Bharat Yojana was highlighted as a lifeline for over four crore underprivileged patients who received essential, often life-saving treatments free of charge. This, coupled with over 1.5 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs across the country, has facilitated early detection of diseases like cancer and diabetes, showcasing the far-reaching benefits of these health reforms.

In a country where AIIMS was once limited to New Delhi, Modi expressed pride in having nearly two dozen AIIMS now operational nationwide, along with a doubling of medical colleges in the last decade. He attributed this remarkable expansion to his administration's commitment, contrasting it with previous governments he criticized for their delayed response to the healthcare needs of the country.

Another progressive initiative Modi shared was the introduction of medical studies in Hindi and regional languages. This inclusive approach aims to empower students from diverse linguistic and socio-economic backgrounds, ensuring that language is no longer a barrier to pursuing careers in medicine. "Children from underprivileged, marginalized, and backward communities should also have the opportunity to become doctors," Modi noted, reflecting his vision for an equitable and inclusive medical education system.

The Prime Minister concluded with a warm tribute to the late folk singer Sharda Sinha, celebrating her impact on popularizing the Chhath festival worldwide through her music. "The way she has spread the significance of the grand festival of Chhath through her songs across the world is truly remarkable," he stated, connecting India's cultural heritage with its progress in healthcare and development.