Lucknow: Emphasising the urgent need to tackle rising lifestyle diseases, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday said that a balanced approach combining prevention and treatment must form the foundation of India’s future health security. Addressing the Cardiological Society of India’s ‘NIC-2026’ conference in Lucknow, he underlined that a healthy citizen is the cornerstone of a strong and developed nation.
Prevention and Treatment Must Go Hand-in-Hand
Speaking at the conference, the Chief Minister highlighted that healthcare policy must move beyond a treatment-centric approach.
“If the country has to be made healthy and productive in the long term, the medical system must shift towards public awareness and lifestyle improvement,” he said.
He stressed that a dual strategy—comprehensive prevention campaigns along with a robust treatment system—will define the roadmap for achieving the vision of a “Viksit Bharat.”
Rising Burden of Lifestyle Diseases
The Chief Minister raised concerns over the increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases, calling it a major challenge for society.
He noted that changing lifestyles, poor dietary habits, and excessive screen time are contributing to health issues such as diabetes and heart diseases.
“Only through a healthy routine and balanced lifestyle can this challenge be effectively addressed,” he said, urging greater awareness among citizens.
Healthcare Expansion and Ayushman Bharat Impact
Highlighting improvements in healthcare infrastructure, he pointed out that schemes like Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana have significantly expanded access to treatment.
- Around 55–60 crore people are now covered under the scheme
- Provides health insurance up to ₹5 lakh per year
- Among the largest health coverage programmes globally
He added that those left out of the scheme have been included under the Mukhyamantri Jan Arogya Yojana, further expanding health security.
In 2025 alone, nearly ₹1,400 crore was disbursed through the Chief Minister Relief Fund for treatment support.
Massive Growth in Medical Infrastructure
The Chief Minister highlighted the transformation of healthcare infrastructure in the state:
- Government medical colleges increased from 17 to 81 in the last decade
- Establishment of 2 AIIMS institutions
- Expansion of ICUs and cath labs across districts
- Growth of super-specialty hospitals
Institutions like Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, King George’s Medical University, and Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences are now connected to hospitals statewide through telemedicine services such as tele-ICU and virtual ICU.
Overburdened Healthcare System
Despite these advancements, the Chief Minister acknowledged the growing pressure on healthcare facilities.
- KGMU sees 12,000–14,000 OPD patients daily
- AIIMS Delhi handles 16,000–17,000 patients daily
- SGPGI records 10,000–12,000 patients daily
He noted that such patient loads make it difficult to provide adequate time and quality care, underlining the need for preventive healthcare to reduce the burden.
Food Adulteration and Lifestyle Concerns
The Chief Minister also flagged food adulteration as a serious issue. Referring to recent enforcement drives, he said that thousands of quintals of adulterated khoya and paneer were seized ahead of Diwali.
He emphasized that modern lifestyle habits, including excessive smartphone use (4–6 hours daily), are contributing to new health challenges.
Role of Doctors and Awareness Campaigns
Highlighting the role of medical professionals, he said that awareness messages delivered by doctors have a deeper and more lasting impact on society.
He urged doctors and experts to actively promote:
- Healthy routines
- Balanced diets
- Reduced screen time
- Regular health check-ups
Global Recognition of Traditional Practices
Referring to initiatives led by Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister praised efforts to promote yoga and traditional medicine globally, including the celebration of International Yoga Day.
NIC-2026 Conference and Institutional Significance
The Chief Minister was addressing the ‘NIC-2026’ conference organised by the Cardiological Society of India at Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical University.
He described the university as a landmark institution in medical education, noting that it is the first in Uttar Pradesh to affiliate all medical colleges.
Calling Uttar Pradesh a transforming state, he said it is now emerging as a growth engine of India’s economy, shedding its earlier “BIMARU” tag.
Conclusion
Reiterating his vision, the Chief Minister said that building a disease-free society is essential for achieving the goal of a developed India. He expressed confidence that discussions and research presented at the conference would contribute meaningful solutions to future healthcare challenges.
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