Competition in private health sector will make healthcare affordable: Mandaviya

Reiterating the union government's stance on private healthcare, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Tuesday said that competition in the private health sector would help provide health facilities to people at affordable prices. Mandaviya was speaking on the private partnership in the health sector.

"Competition will help in providing health facilities at affordable prices. Total health starts with preventive care. Like 'Fit India', yoga, 'Khelo India' are part of total health. Ayushman Bharat health and wellness centres are a backbone of our health system," the Minister said. He further added that the country is moving towards total health under the guidance and leadership of PM Modi. A drive will be launched to register for the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission as part of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, he said.

"Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission is a revolution and will help us in keeping digital records. Health and wellness centres are important for screening and early detection of disease and therefore cure can be timely done," Mandaviya added.

Addressing the inaugural programme of the Health Pavilion at ITF2021, the Minister said, "Health is not trade for us but for total health, people should get good facilities, this is what we desire." The health pavilion aims to create awareness and project the importance of total health and affordable healthcare. A month-long campaign aimed at creating awareness shall be held as part of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, he said

"As much as Rs 64,000 crore has been sanctioned by the Government of India with the aim that every district will be covered to strengthen health infrastructure of the country. We need more doctors and we are investing in hospitals and increasing doctor-patient ratio also," Mandaviya said.

Regarding the vaccination drive against Covid-19 in the country, he said, "We have achieved 113 crore vaccination doses administration with the support of various stakeholders."