Health Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal: ‘Zero Malaria Deaths Is Our Mission’

Health Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal (centre) addresses a press conference in Chhattisgarh Samvad Auditorium at Nava Raipur on Thursday July 30, 2026 , accompanied by Health Department Secretary Amit Kataria (left) and a senior department official (right). The Minister highlighted the achievements of the Chief Minister Swasth Bastar Abhiyan, the state’s intensified malaria elimination campaign, expansion of emergency healthcare services, and strict enforcement against the sale and use of analogue paneer across Chhattisgarh-Photo Credit-primelookindia.com via CG/PR

Key Factors

• 34.29 lakh people screened under the Chief Minister Swasth Bastar Abhiyan.
• 99% of the target population covered during the campaign.
• 60,000+ serious patients referred to higher healthcare institutions.
• 10,938 high-risk pregnancies identified and monitored.
• Bastar’s malaria positivity rate reduced from 4.60% to 0.48%.
• Chhattisgarh’s Annual Parasite Index (API) declined from 5.21 to 0.90.
• 11.89 lakh institutional deliveries recorded in the past two-and-a-half years.
• 375 new 108 Sanjeevani Express ambulances deployed.
• 6.5 lakh emergency cases attended between January 2024 and June 2026.
• Modern pathology services introduced at 1,051 health institutions.
• Paramedical courses to begin in all 10 government medical colleges.
• Strict enforcement ordered against the sale and use of analogue paneer.

Over 34 lakh people screened under Chief Minister Swasth Bastar Abhiyan; strict action ordered against analogue paneer, expansion of emergency and diagnostic healthcare announced

Raipur : The Chhattisgarh Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery across the state, with a special focus on tribal and remote regions. Addressing a press conference in Raipur on Wednesday, Health Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal outlined major achievements in public health, announced new initiatives to improve medical infrastructure, and directed strict enforcement against the sale and use of analogue paneer in a press conference organised Chhattisgarh Samvad Auditorium on Thursday July 30, 2026 .

The Minister said the government’s flagship Chief Minister Swasth Bastar Abhiyan has emerged as one of the state’s largest public health outreach programmes, ensuring early diagnosis and treatment of serious diseases while significantly improving healthcare access in Bastar.

“Our mission is clear—there should not be a single death due to malaria in Chhattisgarh. Early detection, prompt treatment, continuous monitoring and community participation remain our strongest weapons.” — Shyam Bihari Jaiswal

According to the Health Minister, more than 3.429 million (34.29 lakh) people have been screened under the Swasth Bastar campaign, covering nearly 99 percent of the targeted population. During the campaign, health teams identified patients suffering from malaria, tuberculosis, sickle cell disease, leprosy, oral cancer and other serious illnesses, enabling timely treatment. More than 60,000 critically ill patients were referred to higher medical centres, while 10,938 high-risk pregnancies were identified and brought under specialised medical supervision.

Highlighting the state’s progress in malaria control, Jaiswal said sustained surveillance and community-based interventions have produced encouraging results.

“Every health worker, Mitanin, ANM and frontline team is working village by village. Our objective is not merely malaria control but ensuring zero malaria-related deaths.”

The Minister noted that the malaria positivity rate in Bastar Division has declined from 4.60 percent to 0.48 percent, while the state’s Annual Parasite Index (API) has fallen from 5.21 to 0.90, reflecting significant improvement in malaria prevention and disease management.

Speaking about maternal and child healthcare, he informed that over 11.89 lakh institutional deliveries have taken place across the state during the past two and a half years. Under the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan, pregnant women are receiving regular specialist examinations, early identification of high-risk pregnancies and timely medical intervention.

The Minister also announced that emergency healthcare services have been further strengthened with the deployment of 375 new 108 Sanjeevani Express ambulances. Between January 2024 and June 2026, more than 6.5 lakh citizens benefited from emergency medical assistance, improving response time during accidents, childbirth and other critical medical emergencies.

To improve diagnostic facilities, the state government, in collaboration with HLL Lifecare Limited, has introduced modern pathology testing services at 1,051 health institutions across Chhattisgarh. A hub-and-spoke model supported by IT-enabled reporting and quality monitoring is expected to make reliable laboratory services accessible even in remote regions.

The Health Minister further announced that paramedical courses will be introduced in all ten government medical colleges in the state to strengthen healthcare manpower while creating new career opportunities for young people in the medical sector.

Food safety also figured prominently during the press briefing. The Minister directed officials to ensure the effective enforcement of the ban on the use and sale of analogue paneer, warning that strict action would be taken against violations of food safety standards.

“Safe and quality food is the right of every citizen. There will be no compromise with public health, and violations of food safety regulations will invite strict action.”

The announcements underscore the state’s focus on preventive healthcare, improved medical infrastructure, disease surveillance, emergency response and food safety as part of its broader public health strategy.