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States » NorthPosted at: May 20 2025 10:09PM


Work of soldier, doctor is same, both protect common man: Rajnath

Lucknow, May 20 (UNI) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said that doctors treat patients, and we, working in the Ministry of Defence, treat terrorists across the border.
In his parliamentary constituency, Lucknow, for the first time after 'Operation Sindoor', the Defence Minister said, "India launched 'Operation Sindoor' against terrorism and successfully attacked a large number of terrorist hideouts in Pakistan and succeeded in eliminating the terrorists. Indian soldiers have worked like skilled doctors and surgeons. Just as a skilled surgeon uses tools on the root of the disease, the Indian forces have used weapons on the roots of terrorism."
He was attending the 25th anniversary celebrations of the establishment of Dr KNS Memorial Hospital along with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
Rajnath said that Pakistan started attempts to attack Indian soil. "Common citizens, temples, gurudwaras and churches were targeted. In response to that, the action of the Indian Army brought the Pakistani army to its knees. We took full care that only the terrorist bases of Pakistan be attacked, there should be no attack where civilians live," he said.
He said that the Indian forces have operated skilled surgeons. "There are many similarities in the work and commitment of soldiers and doctors. Both protect the common man. One protects health, and the other protects the nation. The discipline and training of both are very tough. Both have to make big decisions in very delicate situations. Both are always ready for emergencies," he said.
He said, "The country saw the valour of the Indian forces during 'Operation Sindoor' and the courage and commitment of doctors-surgeons during Corona. Like soldiers, doctors are also known for their duty, courage and service to the country and society."
The Defence Minister Singh, said, "I had inaugurated this hospital on May 12, 2000. The dream, vision, and purpose that I saw in the eyes of Dr KN Singh have become a reality today. Indian talent is showing its talent outside the country, but Dr Singh returned to India from the United States and became an example of brain gain," he said.
Rajnath said that in 1997, Dr Singh's mother had a heart attack and he lost her due to lack of adequate medical facilities on time. "That moment changed his direction. Dr Singh resolved that no one should be lost due to a lack of treatment. Personal loss often creates bitterness and also makes one pessimistic, but people like Dr Singh show that these sorrows can be transformed into new consciousness, new direction and new inspiration," he said.
He expressed concern about the changing lifestyle. He said that today India is being called the Diabetes Capital. "Statistics show that more than 10 crore people in India are diabetic patients, and 14 crore people are in pre-diabetes state. Medical experts believe that with timely detection and the right health management, these patients can lead a normal life. There is a need to understand the need to control lifestyle. Only doctors can create maximum awareness about lifestyle," he said.
The Defence Minister said that no matter how qualified a doctor is, without infrastructure and facilities, a doctor cannot give their best. "Investing in medical infrastructure and human resources should be the priority of every government," he said.
He said that the health sector is also one of the highest priority sectors under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "In the financial year 2025-26, a budget of 95,957 crores has been allocated to the health sector," he said.
Rajnath said that more than 8 crore people have benefited from the Ayushman Bharat scheme so far. "The government has spent Rs 1.25 lakh crore for this so far. There are 19 lakh poor and deprived people who cannot get this treatment without Ayushman Bharat health coverage. Due to Ayushman Bharat, the out-of-pocket expenditure of people has come down from 62 per cent to 38 per cent. More than 14,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras have been opened across the country. Jan Aushadhi Kendras have also started opening in rural areas in collaboration with PACS. The prices of medicines have also been controlled through the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority," he said.
He said that in 10 years, there has been a significant increase in the health infrastructure and the number of doctors in India. "Before 2014, there were only 387 medical colleges in the country, while in 2024 its number has increased to 780. The number of MBBS seats has been increased by 130 per cent. Before 2014, its seats were around 50,000, which has now increased to about 1.20 lakh," he said.
The Defence Minister said that under the guidance of Yogi Adityanath, the double-engine government is committed to health welfare. "Along with the schemes of the centre, Yogi Adityanath has also implemented the schemes of the state government effectively. He has done a great job in the matter of fast ambulance service, quick treatment and health infrastructure, it is also discussed in other states," he said.
He said that before 2017, for 40-50 years, children used to die from Japanese encephalitis in Purvanchal including Gorakhpur, during July to September. "All the governments had considered it a game of destiny that every year one and a half to two thousand children would die, but the picture changed within a few years after the formation of the BJP government in UP in 2017," he said.
He said, "Yogi vowed that now he will curb this dreadful disease. The BJP government started work on a war footing. The CM himself was monitoring. The result is that now not only in Purvanchal, but in UP too, the number of children dying from JE has become negligible."
Rajnath said that under the leadership of Yogi, we are moving towards setting up a medical college in every district of UP. "UP has become the second state in the country in terms of number of MBBS seats and number 1 state in the country in terms of medical colleges. There are 80 functional medical colleges here. 44 are run by the government and 36 by the private sector. The medical sector in UP is an extraordinary example of public-private partnership. This journey of public-private partnership will take UP further ahead," he said.
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Tags: #Work of soldier# doctor is same# both protect common man: Rajnath
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