Shillong, Mar 7: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed ‘Janaushadhi Diwas’ celebrations through video conference on Sunday and dedicated to the nation the 7500th Janaushadhi Kendra at North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS), Shillong during the event.
He interacted with beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana. Stakeholders were recognized by the PM for their excellent work.
The Prime Minister asked the beneficiaries to spread the word about the benefits of Janaushadhi.
“You are my family and your ailment is ailment of my family members that is why, I want all my countrymen to stay healthy,†he said.
“Dedication of 7500th centre of Janaushadhi at Shillong is an indication of spread of Janaushadhi Centers in the Northeast. The scheme is providing affordable medicines to people in hilly areas, Northeast and tribal areas,†the Prime Minister noted.
Modi said that dedication of 7500th center is important as there were not even 100 centres in India six years ago. He asked to achieve the target of 10000 centers.
In order to promote the scheme, the Prime Minister said incentive has been enhanced from Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs 5 lakh with additional incentive of Rs 2 lakh for Dalit, Aadivasi women and people of the Northeast.
Union minister of State, Ministry of (Chemicals & Fertilizers) and Ports, Shipping and Waterways (IC), Mansukh Mandaviya, while addressing the gathering at NEIGRIHMS on Sunday, urged the government as well as private players to set up Janaushadhi Kendras at the block level.
“There should be at least one Janaushadhi Kendra at every block in the State. Around 20-30 people should be engaged in these Kendras to work towards providing medicines to the ones with comorbidities and promoting the Kendras,†he said.
Mandaviya further said that about Rs 7 lakh will be provided every month till the next five years to aid in readying the infrastructure and Janaushadhi store.
He also highlighted that 20 per cent commission will be provided to the Kendras.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma extended his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well as the officials of the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers for aiding the launch of the 7500thJanaushadhi Kendra at NEIGRIHMS in the capital city.
“Including the newly launched centre, our State has a total of six Janaushadhi Kendras now and we are trying to set up more. These Kendras help the economically weaker section in availing quality medicines in affordable prices. Therefore, this should be accessible at every corner, every village in the State,†Sangma said.
The Chief Minister said that there are many areas in our State where the supply of medicines is low and the people from the economically lower section face difficulties.
“Therefore, this programme is of utmost importance. Through these Kendras, I believe that the people of our country, our State and the ones who require medicines on a regular basis, they will be benefitted,†he said.
Expressing his gratitude to the Union Government for ensuring that healthcare is given a priority, Sangma said, “A holistic approach has been there for healthcare and it is something that we all need to take forward.â€
The Chief Minister said Meghalaya government will be spending around Rs 400-500 crore in the next two years to improve the overall health infrastructure of health centres at the grassroots level.