Government intends to do extraordinary work in health sector: Harsh Vardhan

NEW DELHI: Promising "extraordinary" steps in the health sector by the Modi government, Union Minister Harsh Vardhan on Sunday said a mass movement will be built for implementing various policies and programmes in the coming months.

"I can say with confidence that our government under the leadership of Narendra Modi is committed to health sector in the country and intends to do extraordinary work in this field," the Health Minister said.

In this regard, he called for building a "mass-movement" involving everyone in the policies and programmes so as to make India a healthy society.

The Minister said everyone should take pride in the fact that India today is a polio-free country. The government has earmarked Rs 39,237.82 crore for the health sector in this year's general budget.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had also promised that the government would take up on priority basis initiatives such as providing free drugs and diagnostic services while aiming to ensure "Health for All". He had also announced earmarking of Rs 500 crore to set up four more AIIMS-like institutes.

Both Vardhan and Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan were attending the foundation day celebration of International Vaish Federation which was inaugurated by Tamil Nadu Governor K Rosaiah.

The Speaker called upon the Vaish community to work for the welfare of the citizens. Men and women should commit themselves to the betterment of society, she said.