Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, today inaugurated the newly constructed Shri K.K. Patel and Smt. Madhuben K. Patel Nursing College in Mehsana, Gujarat. The facility, which spans 3,700 square metres, includes lecture halls, laboratories, a library, and administrative offices, and will significantly improve access to medical education in the region.

In his address, Shah noted the institution’s legacy of over 65 years in nursing education and stressed the importance of community involvement in ensuring that donation-backed institutions like this one achieve state-of-the-art status. He also confirmed that a women’s hostel is under construction, and a cancer hospital project will soon begin, providing vital services to the poor.

Shah highlighted India’s healthcare transformation under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, especially the rollout of the Ayushman Bharat scheme, which provides free treatment of up to Rs 500,000 per family. He said over 60 million Ayushman cards have been issued and that all hospitals are being upgraded to meet the scheme's standards.

He urged state hospitals to align their facilities accordingly, adding that the government’s vision is to ensure affordable healthcare within reach of every citizen.

Shah also recounted several other health sector reforms implemented since 2014:

5. Health budget increased from Rs 370 billion to Rs 1.37 trillion

6. AIIMS count rose from 7 to 23

7. Medical colleges increased from 387 to 780

8. MBBS seats grew from 51,000 to 118,000

9. Postgraduate seats expanded from 31,000 to 74,000

The Union Minister further lauded the creation of the National Digital Health Ecosystem, establishment of Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, expansion of telemedicine, and the success of the Jan Aushadhi Yojana, which has saved citizens Rs 250 billion in medicine costs over the last decade.

Under the Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission, over 730 major public health institutions and 3,382 sub-district facilities have been constructed. Shah concluded by stating that Prime Minister Modi, a proud son of Gujarat, has launched one of the most ambitious healthcare campaigns in Indian history, benefitting 1.3 billion citizens across the country.