digital desk- On the occasion of the upcoming World Health Day, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath wrote an emotional letter to the people of the state, highlighting the changes in health services and appealing to adopt a healthy lifestyle. In this message, he mentioned in detail the challenges of the health system in the past years and the reforms made by the present government. CM Yogi said that about 9 years ago the condition of health services in the state was very pathetic. Deaths of children due to Japanese encephalitis were common, especially in eastern Uttar Pradesh. He said that due to the indifference of the earlier governments, the families of the victims were seen crying. “When our government got the opportunity to serve, we kept this problem on priority and worked decisively towards eliminating Japanese Encephalitis, the curse of Purvanchal,”

Large scale work done to strengthen health infrastructure- CM Yogi

The Chief Minister said that work has been done on a large scale to strengthen the health infrastructure in the state. New hospitals were built, medical facilities were expanded and specialist doctors were appointed. He said that today in Uttar Pradesh, facilities like medicine, testing and vaccination are within the reach of the common man, due to which people are getting better treatment. CM Yogi also claimed major progress in the field of medical education. He said that in 2017, while only 36 medical colleges were operating in the state, today their number has increased to 83. “Now the people of the state do not need to go out for treatment nor are they forced to sell their land,”

Health services have been taken to every village through health fairs – CM Yogi

Referring to the efforts made by the government to make health services more accessible, the Chief Minister said that facilities like establishment of health ATMs in Primary Health Centers (PHC), 108 ambulance service, tele consultation, mobile medical units and free dialysis service are the result of this commitment. Along with this, health services have been taken to every village through health fairs. He said that more than 9 crore people have been given free medical protection cover up to Rs 5 lakh. CM Yogi also talked about promoting alternative medical methods. He informed that Ayushman Arogya Mandir and Yoga Wellness Center have been established, due to which work is being done towards achieving the goal of ‘Sarve Santu Niramaya’. He stressed on giving priority to ‘preventive health’ i.e. prevention before disease.