Amit Shah slams Cong over poor health budget since Independence, showcases BJP's health feat since 2014
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Nagpur: Union home minister Amit Shah on Monday launched a fierce attack on Congress, accusing it of grossly underfunding the healthcare sector when the party held power for decades, while hailing the Modi-led BJP govt for significantly ramping up investments and improving healthcare access.
Addressing the foundation laying ceremony for Swasti Nivas at National Cancer Institute (NCI) here, Shah presented a detailed comparison of budgetary allocations to underline what he described as the Congress apathy. "During the last budget of late PM Manmohan Singh's tenure, the health budget was a mere ₹37,000 crore. In comparison, the Modi govt allocated ₹1.35 lakh crore for 2025-26, showing a jump of nearly ₹1 lakh crore for the well-being of our citizens," he said.
Highlighting the BJP govt's emphasis on expanding medical infrastructure, Shah said, "Since independence, there were only seven AIIMS. In the last 11 years, we approved 23 more. Government Medical Colleges and Hospitals (GMCHs) doubled from 387 to 780 since 2014. MBBS seats grew from 51,000 to 1.18 lakh and PG seats from 31,000 to 74,000."
Shah also spoke about the pressing issues faced by patients during the Congress era, particularly the financial burden of life-threatening diseases like cancer.
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"People would fear going bankrupt in treatments like cancer and other deadly diseases. They were worried about how they would repay huge loans taken for treatment or how their next generations would clear them. Recognising this, the Modi govt launched the Ayushman Bharat scheme, providing ₹5 lakh health insurance cover for the poor," he noted.
He further added that in BJP-led states, the health insurance coverage was raised to ₹25 lakh by merging Central and state-level special schemes.
"This enabled over 60 crore poor people to avail free treatment," he asserted.
To address health needs of the elderly, Shah said the govt also introduced a separate ₹5 lakh treatment cover for all senior citizens above 70 years, irrespective of their income. "We also started a chain of affordable generic medicine stores across the country, ensuring access to low-cost drugs," he added.
Apart from medical care, Shah highlighted the govt's holistic approach to public health.
"To prevent diseases and promote good health, initiatives like International Yoga Day, Fit India and Khelo India were launched. The govt also ensured piped drinking water to every household and toilets in every home, along with providing cheap gas connections to free women from traditional chulhas," he said.
Concluding his speech, Shah said these combined efforts of the Modi govt strengthened the healthcare system and gave the poor confidence that they could live healthier lives without debt and disease.
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SHAH SPEAK:
# Key Healthcare Highlights:
Congress-era health budget (2013-14): ₹37,000 crore
Modi govt budget (2025-26): ₹1.35 lakh crore
Difference: Nearly ₹1 lakh crore
# Healthcare Infrastructure Boost:
AIIMS hospitals:
Congress era: 7
Modi era (last 11 years): Additional 23, total 30
# Govt Medical Colleges & Hospitals (GMCHs):
2014: 387
2025: 780
# Medical Education Surge:
MBBS seats:
2014: 51,000
2025: 1.18 lakh
# PG seats:
2014: 31,000
2025: 74,000
# Major Healthcare Initiatives:
Ayushman Bharat: ₹5 lakh health cover for the poor
Double-engine BJP states: Health cover increased to ₹25 lakh
Senior citizens (above 70): ₹5 lakh health cover for all, regardless of income
Generic medicine stores: Nationwide initiative for affordable medicines
# Other Health & Welfare Initiatives:
Yoga Day, Fit India, Khelo India: Promoting health & fitness
Piped drinking water for households
Toilets in every village & home
Affordable LPG connections to replace traditional chulhas
# Beneficiaries:
Over 60 crore poor citizens received free healthcare under BJP govt
Financial relief for critical treatments like cancer
Holistic health and wellness coverage
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