PM Narendra Modi inaugurates five AIIMS at Rajkot, Bathinda, Raebareli, Kalyani, Mangalagiri

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated five All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) at Rajkot, Gujarat; Bathinda, Punjab; Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh; Kalyani, West Bengal; and Mangalagiri, Andhra Pradesh. The PM also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 202 healthcare infrastructure projects worth more than Rs 11,700 crore across 23 states and union territories.

Addressing the gathering, the PM said, “The dedication of five AIIMS gives a glimpse of how healthcare infrastructure will evolve in Viksit Bharat". Highlighting that “only one AIIMS in New Delhi was serving the country for a long time”, he said: “Today there are many new AIIMS functioning in different capacities across the nation.” He also added, “The multiple foundation stone laying and inauguration projects taking place across the country, including these five AIIMS inaugurated today, showcases a new tradition of getting work done at a faster pace.”

Highlighting some major milestones achieved during the last 10 years, the Prime Minister said that from around 380 medical colleges in 2014, we have over 700 medical colleges today. PG and MBBS seats have more than doubled from 2014 and Jan Aushadhi Kendras have expanded to more than 10,000 units across the country.

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The Prime Minister also pointed out that the foundation stone for AIIMS Rajkot was laid by him three years ago and that promise is fulfilled today. Similarly, a promise of an AIIMS was given to Bathinda, Raebareli, Mangalagiri, Kalyani, and Rewari AIIMS. In the last 10 years, 10 new AIIMS have been sanctioned in different states.

Union minister of health and family welfare Mansukh Mandaviya, Gujarat chief minister Bhupendrabhai Patel, Minister of state for ayush and woman, and child development Mahendra Munjapara, and Gujarat heath minister Rushikesh Patel were present on the occasion.