President Droupadi Murmu on Friday said that building a self-reliant India depends fundamentally on the health of its citizens, underlining the importance of accessible and affordable healthcare.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Nand Kishor Somani Oncology Block at the Ramakrishna Mission Sevashram here, Murmu stressed that an empowered and ‘Aatma Nirbhar’ Bharat can only be realised when people are healthy.
“An empowered (‘sashakt’) and ‘Aatma Nirbhar’ Bharat is only possible when the citizens are healthy,” she said.
Highlighting the growing burden of cancer, the President described it as one of the most serious health challenges facing the country. “Timely detection of the disease and high-level treatment can play a decisive role in saving the life of the patient. But, for some families, it seems that due to their economic circumstances, treatment of this disease seems impossible,” she said.
Murmu, who is on a three-day visit to Uttar Pradesh, noted that efforts are being intensified to tackle cancer through awareness campaigns and improved diagnostic facilities. She said India is working steadily to strengthen its healthcare infrastructure, pointing to flagship initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat.
“Cancer treatment is also covered under the ambit of the Ayushman Bharat scheme, thereby benefiting poor and needy patients,” she said.
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The President also highlighted the expansion of medical infrastructure, noting that new AIIMS institutions and medical colleges are being established across the country to improve access to healthcare, particularly in rural and remote areas.
She praised the growing role of telemedicine and e-health services, which enable patients to consult specialist doctors without travelling long distances.
“Medical institutions driven by a spirit of service play a pivotal role in society. They do not merely treat diseases, but also instil hope, confidence, and respect in the lives of patients and their families,” Murmu said.
Commending the Ramakrishna Mission’s contribution, she said the organisation exemplifies how modern science and human compassion can work together for public welfare.
“I extend my warmest congratulations to this institution for this significant contribution. Today, we are not only inaugurating a building, but we are opening a new gateway of hope for all those patients who come here seeking high-quality medical care,” she added.
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