Healthy Citizens Form the Cornerstone of a Developed Chhattisgarh – Vice Chancellors’ Meet-2026 to Give New Direction to Innovation in the Health Sector: Chief Minister Sai

In Short

• Chhattisgarh’s Healthcare Model to be Strengthened through the Convergence of Modern Medicine and Traditional Medicinal Knowledge: Chief Minister Sai

• The State’s Healthcare Landscape Set to Transform with the Establishment of a ‘Medi-City Hub’ and New Medical Colleges

• “Mukhyamantri Bastar Swasthya Yojana” (Chief Minister’s Bastar Health Scheme) to be Launched in Sukma

Raipur: Addressing the ‘All India Health Sciences Vice Chancellors’ Meet-2026′ held today on Friday April 10, 2026 at the Pt. Deendayal Upadhyay Memorial Health Sciences and AYUSH University in Nava Raipur, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai described the event as a historic and proud occasion for the state.

He extended a warm welcome to the Vice Chancellors, academicians, and students who had arrived from across the country to the sacred land of Chhattisgarh—the maternal home of Lord Shri Ram.

Chief Minister Sai stated that this one-day conference—being organised for the first time—would facilitate a comprehensive exchange of innovations in the fields of health education and medicine, proving to be a significant milestone in the times to come.

He expressed confidence that the ideas emerging from this platform would not only provide direction for policy formulation but would also be instrumental in delivering better healthcare services to the common people.

The Chief Minister noted that, over the past two years, the state government has achieved remarkable progress in the health sector. Construction work is currently underway for five new medical colleges, 14 nursing colleges, and one homeopathy college across the state.

He emphasised that healthy citizens constitute the very foundation of a developed Chhattisgarh, and it is with this vision that continuous efforts are being made to expand healthcare services and enhance their quality.

Referring to the nationwide efforts to strengthen healthcare services under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Sai remarked that the financial assistance of up to ₹5 lakh provided to impoverished families under the ‘Ayushman Bharat’ scheme is proving to be a true boon for them.

He recalled that, in the past, villagers often faced arduous circumstances—such as having to take out loans or sell their land—to afford treatment for serious ailments; however, this situation is now changing rapidly, and public trust in healthcare services has significantly increased.

Chief Minister Sai stated that diseases such as diabetes and cancer—which were previously considered to be confined to a limited segment of society—are now spreading rapidly in rural areas as well.

To address this challenge, the Central Government is undertaking initiatives such as “Arogya Mandir,” aimed at raising public awareness regarding healthy lifestyles. He further mentioned that the Central Government has taken the decision to establish three Ayurvedic AIIMS institutions across the country.

Chief Minister Sai noted that approximately 44 percent of the state’s geographical area is under forest cover, making it immensely rich in terms of medicinal plants. In this context, he expressed pride over Shri Hemchand Manjhi receiving the Padma Shri award in the field of Ayurveda, highlighting that people from abroad even travel to him for the treatment of serious ailments such as cancer.

Highlighting the rapid expansion of health infrastructure within the state, the Chief Minister announced that a “Medi-City Hub” is being developed in the capital region, which will feature a 5,000-bed super-specialty hospital.

This initiative will ensure that the residents of the state have access to world-class medical facilities. He also pointed out that, during his tenure, more than a dozen private hospitals have been inaugurated in Raipur.

Referencing India’s rich tradition of knowledge, the Chief Minister remarked that our country has historically been home to great centers of learning—such as Nalanda, Takshashila, and Vikramshila—and has long been recognised as a “Vishwa Guru” (Global Mentor) in both the fields of medicine and spirituality.

Describing Ayurveda as a Upaveda (subsidiary scripture) of the Rigveda, he noted that the ethos of “Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah” (May all be happy) has always remained an integral part of Indian culture.

Recalling India’s achievements during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chief Minister stated that, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the country successfully developed three different vaccines.

Through this feat, India not only ensured the safety of its own 1.4 billion citizens but also extended assistance to other nations, thereby demonstrating the true spirit of humanity on a global stage.

Describing medical practitioners as holding a position second only to God in society, Chief Minister Sai urged them to uphold a sense of compassion and sensitivity while discharging their duties with a spirit of service.

He expressed his confidence that this conference would pave new pathways in the healthcare sector and that its positive outcomes would ultimately benefit the general public. In his address, Health Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal stated that, under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, numerous challenges within the health sector have been successfully resolved.

He noted that, as part of innovations in medical education, provisions for Hindi-medium instruction have been introduced, and that the utilization of technology and Artificial Intelligence will render healthcare services even more effective in the future. He urged medical professionals to discharge their duties with a spirit of service and sensitivity.

The Health Minister further stated that healthcare infrastructure in the state has undergone extensive expansion—including the establishment of 5 new medical colleges, 14 nursing colleges, and 2 psychiatric hospitals—and that 275 state-of-the-art ambulances have been made available. He informed that, commencing April 13 in Sukma, the process of health screening for 3.6 million people and the issuance of Ayushman Cards will be initiated under the Chief Minister’s Bastar Health Scheme.

In his address, MP Brijmohan Agrawal stated that once the Naxal issue is resolved, Chhattisgarh will advance rapidly on the path of development. He emphasised the importance of extending better healthcare services to rural areas.

He further noted that the suggestions emerging from this conference would be forwarded to the Ministry of AYUSH, and that this event would play an instrumental role in the expansion of healthcare services. He also extended his best wishes for the success of the event.

Present on this occasion were numerous dignitaries, including MLA Indra Kumar Sahu, MLA Purandar Mishra, Special Invitee Dr. Ved Prakash Mishra, President of the Bharatiya Swasthya Vidyapeeth Dr. Rajiv Sood, and Vice-Chancellor of the AYUSH University Dr. Pradeep Kumar Patra.