Chandigarh: Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Thursday said that Swasth Haryana is the foundation of Viksit Haryana, emphasising that strengthening public healthcare remains a top priority of the State Government. He said that the Government is consistently undertaking focused and result-oriented measures to expand and modernise healthcare infrastructure and services across the State.
The Chief Minister informed that in the current financial year, a provision of approximately Rs. 14,000 crore has been made for the health sector, registering an increase of 32.89 percent over the previous year. He said this reflects the Government’s firm commitment to ensuring accessible, affordable and quality healthcare for all citizens. He further shared that the State’s health budget has increased from Rs. 2,646 crore in 2014 to Rs. 10,500 crore in 2025–26, marking a rise of nearly 298 percent.
Nayab Singh Saini said this while addressing a two-day National Conference on best and replicable practices in the health sector, organised in Chandigarh. Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Jagat Prakash Nadda, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.
Describing the conference as a significant milestone, the Chief Minister said it would contribute meaningfully towards shaping the future of India’s public health system. He said that best practices and innovative initiatives from across the country are being deliberated upon during the two-day event. He expressed confidence that the conference would serve as an effective platform for knowledge-sharing and dissemination of successful healthcare models.
Highlighting key initiatives of the State Government, Nayab Singh Saini said that the Care Companion Programme has been launched to train attendants of patients. Under this initiative, attendants have been trained at 188 centres and linked through a WhatsApp-based Mobile Care Service. He further shared that under the digital health initiative e-Sanjeevani, Ayushman Arogya Mandirs are facilitating more than 2,200 tele-consultations daily, enabling rural patients to directly consult specialists from premier institutions such as PGI, Chandigarh.
The Chief Minister said that digital platforms such as U-WIN and eVIN have enabled end-to-end digitisation of vaccination and vaccine supply chain management, ensuring and sustaining full immunisation coverage.
Medical Education Expanded; MBBS Seats Increased from 700 to 2,710
The Chief Minister said that in order to address the shortage of doctors and healthcare personnel, the State Government has resolved to establish at least one medical college in every district. He informed that the number of medical colleges in Haryana has increased from 6 in 2014 to 17 at present, while MBBS seats have risen from 700 to 2,710. He added that significant expansion has also been undertaken in nursing, physiotherapy and paramedical education.
He further shared that the Government has laid equal emphasis on improving the quality of healthcare institutions. As many as 1,479 health facilities in the State have been certified under the National Quality Assurance Standards. The objective, he said, is to ensure the availability of world-class healthcare services within close proximity to every citizen.
In the area of maternal and child healthcare, the Chief Minister said that Haryana has made notable progress. Modern Maternal and Child Health Wings are being established in all district hospitals. Institutional deliveries in the State have reached 98.80 percent, contributing to a substantial decline in maternal and infant mortality rates. He further informed that full immunisation coverage has reached 105 percent.
‘Nirogi Haryana’ Initiative: 1 Crore Citizens Screened; Over 5.86 Crore Free Tests Conducted
The Chief Minister said that under the Nirogi Haryana initiative, health screening is being ensured for every citizen. Nearly 1 crore citizens belonging to Antyodaya families have been screened so far, and more than 5.86 crore laboratory tests have been conducted free of cost, enabling early detection and timely treatment of diseases. To strengthen emergency response systems, the State has established a network of 550 ambulances integrated with Dial-112. He stated that ambulances are reaching the site within 9 to 10 minutes of receiving emergency calls.
The Chief Minister further informed that efforts are underway to ensure the availability of CT scan and MRI services across all districts. At present, CT scan services are available in 18 district civil hospitals, while MRI facilities are operational in 7 district hospitals. Free haemodialysis services are currently available in 22 civil hospitals and will be extended to 18 additional healthcare institutions. He added that Cath Labs and Cardiac Care Units are operational at four centres and will be expanded to six more institutions.
The Chief Minister said that to provide financial protection in healthcare, the State Government is implementing the Ayushman-Chirayu Scheme. He informed that families with an annual income of up to Rs. 3 lakh are covered under the scheme, enabling more than half of the State’s population to avail free treatment up to Rs. 5 lakh per annum.
He further shared that Day Care Cancer Centres have been established at the district level, where patients are being provided free treatment. In addition, cancer patients are being extended free travel facilities and financial assistance.
The Chief Minister emphasised that healthcare cannot be considered adequate if it is limited to treatment alone. He said that true healthcare lies in prevention of diseases, and called upon healthcare professionals to actively participate in public awareness campaigns. He added that greater awareness among citizens will significantly reduce the disease burden. To promote preventive healthcare, the State Government has established yoga and exercise centres in villages and is actively promoting a sports culture across Haryana.
Calling for collective efforts Nayab Singh Saini urged all stakeholders to work together towards building an India where every citizen is healthy, every family is secure and every State continues to progress, thereby realising the vision of “Swasth Bharat, Sashakt Bharat.”
Haryana Health Minister Arti Singh Rao, Additional Chief Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, Dr. Sumita Misra, and senior officers from the Central Government and various States were also present on the occasion.
