Bhopal/Betul: Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare Mr. J.P. Nadda and Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav on Tuesday gave a major boost to healthcare and development in Madhya Pradesh by performing Bhoomi Poojan and inaugurating development projects worth over ₹383 crore in Betul. The highlight of the event was the foundation stone laying of a medical college in Betul, described as a historic gift for the tribal-dominated region.
Addressing a large public gathering at the police ground in Betul, Union Health Minister Mr. Nadda said the medical college would ensure easy access to quality healthcare for people of Betul and surrounding tribal areas. He termed the progress in the healthcare sector under the leadership of Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi as “historic and unprecedented”.
Medical College to Transform Tribal Healthcare
Mr. Nadda noted that the Betul medical college would be the country’s first medical college to be developed in PPP mode, marking a new chapter in medical education and healthcare delivery. He said the government’s focus has been on establishing medical colleges in remote and underserved regions so that quality treatment reaches poor and ordinary citizens.
He highlighted that India today has 1.81 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, providing comprehensive healthcare services to mothers, children and families. He added that 12 types of vaccines are being administered under the immunisation programme to protect children, while maternal mortality and under-five mortality rates have declined significantly and are now better than global averages.
Major Achievements in National Healthcare
The Union Minister outlined several key achievements under the Modi government, including:
- Free annual medical coverage of ₹5 lakh for 62 crore people under Ayushman Bharat
- Additional ₹5 lakh coverage for senior citizens above 70 years for serious illnesses
- Screening of nearly 40 crore people for hypertension
- Cancer screening of 8.5 crore women, including 15.5 crore breast cancer screenings
- Treatment initiated for over 75,500 women
- 21% reduction in TB cases, outperforming the global average
He also highlighted the success of the Tele-MANAS mental health platform, which has benefited nearly 30 lakh people, and said healthcare services are now accessible even through a simple phone call.
Expansion of Medical Education Infrastructure
Mr. Nadda said India had only one AIIMS at the end of the 20th century, which has now grown to 23 AIIMS. The number of medical colleges has increased from 387 in 2014 to 821, including new colleges at Dhar and Betul.
Focusing on Madhya Pradesh, he informed that:
- Medical colleges have increased from 5 to 33, and will soon cross 50
- ₹1,020 crore sanctioned for 850 new MBBS seats
- ₹702 crore approved for 850 PG seats
- ₹1,804 crore allocated under PM Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission
- ₹4,686 crore provided under the 15th Finance Commission
CM Mohan Yadav Highlights Development Push
Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav said Betul, located in the lap of Tapti Maiya, has received a transformative gift in the form of a medical college and hospital. He stated that over the past two years, Madhya Pradesh has witnessed rapid development across sectors including health, industry, irrigation and infrastructure.
He announced that the name of Multai will be changed to ‘Mooltapi’ and said the projects inaugurated would change both the image and destiny of Betul. The CM also spoke about major irrigation initiatives such as the Ken–Betwa river-linking project, the Parvati–Kalisindh–Chambal (PKC) project, and a ₹70,000 crore Tapti river project in collaboration with Maharashtra.
Industrial, Cultural and Social Initiatives
Dr. Yadav announced the development of a jaggery (Gud) cluster, a Kadahi Wooden Cluster, a new industrial cluster at Mahi Industrial Area, Multai, and expansion of the Koshmi Industrial Unit. He also said industrial conclaves have attracted ₹8.5 lakh crore in investment proposals, with groundwork already done for ₹6.5 lakh crore worth of projects.
Referring to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the CM said a grand programme would be held in Gwalior on December 25, during which projects worth ₹2 lakh crore would be inaugurated or launched.
Local Leaders Welcome Historic Day
Union Minister of State Mr. Durgadas Uikey termed the medical college a golden moment for Betul’s tribal region. Senior MLA and State BJP President Mr. Hemant Khandelwal said the district, which once depended on Nagpur and Bhopal for treatment, would now become self-reliant in healthcare with a 600-bed hospital and nearly 1,000 beds in total.
The event was attended by Deputy CM Mr. Rajendra Shukla, State Minister Mr. Narendra Shivaji Patel, several MLAs, senior officials and a large number of public representatives and citizens, marking the occasion as a milestone in Betul’s development journey.
