The Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, in her ceremonial Address to the joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament at the commencement of the Budget Session, outlined the Government’s overarching vision of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” and highlighted the Government’s sustained focus on strengthening the public healthcare system and improving health outcomes for all citizens. The Address emphasized that health and well-being are a critical pillar of human capital development and national progress, underscoring the importance of ensuring accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare services, particularly for the poor, vulnerable, and underserved sections of society.

The Presidential Address underscored health as a key pillar of inclusive national development and reflected the significant progress made under flagship health initiatives of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The President noted that free medical treatment has been provided to over 11 crore people under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana since inception, expanding access to secondary and tertiary healthcare. In the last year alone, around 2.5 crore poor and vulnerable citizens availed free medical treatment under government health schemes.

Highlighting targeted interventions for senior citizens, the Address noted that nearly 1 crore Ayushman Vay Vandana Cards have been issued over the past one and a half years, enabling approximately 8 lakh senior and elderly citizens to receive free healthcare services.

The President also emphasised the strengthening of primary healthcare infrastructure across the country, with 1.80 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs currently operational nationwide. These centres are ensuring last-mile delivery of comprehensive primary healthcare services, particularly in rural, remote and underserved areas.

Reflecting the Government’s mission-mode approach towards disease prevention and public health management, the Address highlighted that under the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission, over 6.5 crore people have been screened, particularly in remote, rural and tribal regions, enabling early detection and effective prevention of the disease. Sustained efforts have also resulted in effective control of Japanese Encephalitis and related illnesses, especially in endemic districts of Uttar Pradesh.

At the same time, this decade has been a decisive period for strengthening health and safety in the Northeast. The establishment of the State Cancer Institute in Itanagar and a Medical College in Shivsagar, Assam, will greatly support the treatment of millions of families. Similarly, the construction of a Medical College in Sichey, Sikkim, and a Women and Children’s Hospital in Agartala will provide substantial healthcare benefits. Such initiatives are contributing to the development of a strong and comprehensive health infrastructure across the Northeast.

The Hon’ble President also highlighted the Government’s commitment not only to the economic empowerment of women but also to ensuring their overall well-being, including nutrition, health, and education. Under the ‘Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar’ campaign conducted in September, approximately 7 crore women received health check-ups, facilitating timely medical care for women across the country. As a result of the Government’s progressive vision and policies, women have made significant advances in every aspirational sector of the nation.

The President also noted with pride that the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared India a Trachoma-free country, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s public health journey and reflecting global recognition of India’s sustained efforts to eliminate preventable diseases.

The Presidential Address reaffirmed the Government’s resolve to further strengthen healthcare infrastructure, expand coverage under flagship health schemes and continue citizen-centric reforms aimed at building a resilient, inclusive and future-ready healthcare system for the country.

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HFW– Presidential Address at Commencement of  Budget Session /28^th January 2026/2