The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, inaugurated the nationwide campaign ‘Saving Lives and Building a Healthier Bharat’ at P. D. Hinduja Hospital in Lok Bhavan, Mumbai, on February 24, 2026.
Addressing the gathering, she highlighted the Government of India’s sustained efforts over the past decade to ensure that citizens remain healthy and receive quality healthcare services. She emphasised that while government initiatives have expanded access significantly, all stakeholders must collaborate to build a truly healthy India.
Major Government Initiatives Driving Healthcare Reform
As reported by pib.gov.in, the President noted that more than 1.8 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs now deliver primary healthcare services across the country. Furthermore, under the world’s largest health insurance scheme, Ayushman Bharat Yojana, nearly 12 crore families receive annual health coverage of ₹5 lakh per family for hospitalisation.
In addition, national programmes such as Mission Indradhanush, the TB-Free India Campaign, and the Sickle Cell Anaemia Eradication Mission actively protect citizens from preventable diseases.
To strengthen medical education, the government has increased MBBS and postgraduate seats. Simultaneously, it has established new campuses of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences and other medical colleges across several states. According to the President, these initiatives are already delivering positive results.
Saving Lives Through Emergency Care and Awareness
Emphasising the importance of emergency response, President Murmu stated that saving a life is the greatest act of charity. She stressed that access to timely emergency medical care, especially within the “golden hour,” can significantly reduce fatalities.
To address this need, the PM Relief Scheme provides cashless treatment of up to ₹1.5 lakh for accident victims. Moreover, the government continues to expand ambulance services and trauma centres nationwide. However, she underlined that public awareness remains equally vital in responding effectively to serious accidents and medical emergencies.
Collective Responsibility for a Healthy Nation
The President asserted that healthy citizens form the foundation of a strong nation. Therefore, protecting people from disease and ensuring timely, appropriate treatment must remain national priorities.
She reiterated that healthcare is integral to nation-building and that the health of citizens represents a shared responsibility. Consequently, both public and private stakeholders must work together to ensure that even the poorest individuals receive timely and high-quality medical care. She urged everyone to adopt “Affordable World-Class Healthcare Services for All” as a common mission.
Technology and AI Transforming Healthcare Delivery
Highlighting the growing role of innovation, President Murmu observed that technology and artificial intelligence are reshaping healthcare. Their importance, she noted, will only increase in the future.
The Government of India is actively building an ecosystem that promotes innovation and accelerates the adoption of emerging technologies. In this regard, the IndiaAI Mission supports the development of AI-enabled healthcare solutions.
Boosting Domestic Manufacturing and Innovation
The President also pointed out that India is a leading pharmaceutical producer, supplying medicines to countries around the world. However, she acknowledged that the nation still depends on imports for several medical devices and critical medicines. These imports impose a financial burden on ordinary citizens.
Therefore, she stressed the importance of strengthening domestic manufacturing to ensure affordable healthcare. Initiatives such as Make in India and the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme are advancing this goal. She encouraged the medical fraternity and business community to promote research, innovation and start-ups in healthcare to further support nation-building.
Healthcare as the Foundation of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’
Looking ahead, the President reaffirmed India’s commitment to achieving the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047. She emphasised that healthy citizens are essential to realising this aspiration.
Citizens, she concluded, can remain healthy only when they have timely access to quality medical services. Expressing confidence in collective efforts, she said India will continue to enhance healthcare delivery and gain greater recognition as a global healthcare destination.