Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilizers, JP Nadda, today inaugurated the “Medicine Update BJMFCON 2024,” an event organized by the Bihar & Jharkhand Medical Forum (BJMF). As the chief guest, Shri Nadda also released the ‘Souvenir and BJMF Directory,’ marking another milestone for this socio-scientific organization of doctors from Bihar and Jharkhand practicing in the Delhi NCR region.

Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilizers, JP Nadda, today inaugurated the “Medicine Update BJMFCON 2024,” an event organized by the Bihar & Jharkhand Medical Forum (BJMF). As the chief guest, Shri Nadda also released the ‘Souvenir and BJMF Directory,’ marking another milestone for this socio-scientific organization of doctors from Bihar and Jharkhand practicing in the Delhi NCR region.

Speaking at the event, Shri Nadda commended the forum for its dedication to both academic and societal causes, acknowledging the importance of continuous medical education and outreach programs. He praised the doctors for their united efforts to not only serve the medical community but also contribute meaningfully to society through conferences, seminars, and panel discussions.

Nadda highlighted the government’s strides in transforming the healthcare landscape under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He emphasized that the government is committed to providing high-quality, affordable healthcare through a comprehensive policy that includes preventive, promotive, curative, and rehabilitative care. Preventive healthcare, in particular, has been bolstered through initiatives like the Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. He noted that out of the 1.73 lakh such centers across India, Bihar houses 10,716 with a footfall of 8.35 crore, and Jharkhand has 3,825 centers with 2.33 crore visitors, contributing to millions of non-communicable disease (NCD) screenings.

The minister also drew attention to improvements in maternal and child health. Institutional deliveries, he said, have risen significantly during the first five years of the Modi government, contributing to a decline in infant mortality. In Bihar, the infant mortality rate (IMR) dropped from 42 to 27 per 1,000 live births in 2020, and in Jharkhand, from 34 to 25. Similarly, under-five mortality rates have seen sharp declines in both states.

On the academic front, Shri Nadda highlighted the remarkable growth in medical education. Since 2014, the number of medical colleges has nearly doubled, with 157 district hospitals converted into medical institutions—eight in Bihar and five in Jharkhand. He added that Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) is being redeveloped into Asia’s second-largest hospital. Furthermore, MBBS and postgraduate medical seats have seen a substantial increase, ensuring the availability of more trained healthcare professionals in the future.

In his address, Shri Nadda also pointed to the government's efforts under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY), which aims to correct regional imbalances in healthcare services. New AIIMS institutions will soon be operational in Patna, Darbhanga (Bihar), and Deoghar (Jharkhand), augmenting the availability of tertiary healthcare and medical education in these regions.

Nadda highlighted the success of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), the world’s largest health insurance scheme, which has authorized over Rs. 86,797 crores worth of treatments. He also announced the extension of PM-JAY to all senior citizens aged 70 and above, enabling them to access up to ₹5 lakh worth of healthcare benefits.

The minister concluded by commending healthcare providers for their relentless service during the COVID-19 pandemic and their continued efforts to ensure the accessibility of healthcare in remote areas. He encouraged participants to contribute concrete recommendations for improving healthcare facilities, reiterating the government’s commitment to enhancing healthcare services across the country.