Doctors Key to Viksit Bharat: Amit Shah

• Amit Shah calls doctors decisive partners in building a Viksit Bharat
• Urges IMA to redefine medical ethics and integrate them into education
• Highlights Ayushman Bharat and public health reforms
• Praises doctors’ role during the COVID-19 crisis

GG News Bureau
Ahmedabad, 28th Dec: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah on Sunday said doctors will play a decisive role in building a Viksit Bharat, as he addressed the Indian Medical Association’s national conference, IMA NATCON 2025, in Ahmedabad.

Marking the IMA’s 100th convention, Shah said the centenary is a moment to reflect on the organisation’s long legacy of sacrifice, service and contribution to the nation’s health sector. He urged the IMA to redefine medical ethics to suit present-day challenges and make them an integral part of medical education, saying ethics cannot be enforced by law but must be nurtured as a moral responsibility.

Stressing that healthcare is fundamentally a field of service, Shah said the Modi government is committed to building a strong and accessible health ecosystem. He highlighted major public health initiatives such as Swachh Bharat Mission, Fit India, Khelo India, International Day of Yoga, Ayushman Bharat and Mission Indradhanush, which he said have transformed India’s health landscape.

The Home Minister said Ayushman Bharat has provided free treatment up to ₹5 lakh to the poor, with expanded benefits in many states, and noted large-scale investments to strengthen CHC and PHC infrastructure, expand Jan Aushadhi Kendras and reduce healthcare costs by removing GST on health insurance. He said India has seen a sharp expansion in medical education, with seats rising from 51,000 to over 1.3 lakh annually.

Highlighting outcomes, Shah said India has achieved a 97 per cent reduction in malaria cases, major declines in kala-azar and maternal and infant mortality, and significant improvements in institutional deliveries. He also underlined the empowerment of over 1.81 lakh Ayushman Bharat Health Centres, calling them a boon for rural and poor communities.

Praising doctors’ commitment during the COVID-19 pandemic, Shah said their selfless service without regard for personal safety represents the country’s greatest human capital. He acknowledged the IMA’s role in vaccination drives, blood donation camps and public health helplines during the crisis.

Looking ahead, Shah called on the IMA to play a more active role in strengthening telemedicine, promoting medical research and shifting the healthcare focus from illness to wellness. He said the association must continue to fortify India’s health infrastructure and guide the country towards affordable, accessible and quality healthcare.