Raipur, April 10 Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Friday said the state has made significant progress in the health sector over the past two years, with a focus on expanding infrastructure and improving the quality of services.
Speaking at the All India Health Sciences Vice Chancellors' Meet 2026 held at Pt Deendayal Upadhyay Memorial Health Sciences and AYUSH University in Nava Raipur, Sai said five new medical colleges, 14 nursing colleges, and a homeopathy college are currently under construction in the state.
"Healthy citizens are the foundation of a developed Chhattisgarh. With this vision, we have continuously working to expand and strengthen healthcare services," he said.
Highlighting efforts under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sai said the Ayushman Bharat Yojana has been a major relief for poor families with health coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh.
He noted that earlier, rural residents often had to take loans or sell land for treatment of serious illnesses, but the situation is now changing with improved access.
Conditions such as diabetes and cancer, previously considered to be affecting a limited segment of the population, are now being diagnosed in greater numbers in rural areas too, said the chief minister.
To address this challenge, the Central Government is undertaking initiatives such as 'Arogya Mandir' aimed at raising awareness about a healthy lifestyle, he said.
Sai also mentioned that the Central Government has decided to establish three Ayurvedic AIIMS institutions across the country.
He expressed confidence that the conference would pave the way for innovation and improved healthcare delivery.
Health Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal said that under the Chief Minister Bastar Health Scheme, health screening and Ayushman card enrollment for 36 lakh people will begin in Sukma district from April 13.