What happened

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla inaugurated Ashoka Health City in Nashik, Maharashtra and said that quality healthcare must reach the last person in society. He called for cooperation between the Government and private institutions to expand affordable and quality healthcare access.

Birla said the institution should combine treatment with research and innovation, including facilities alongside its Mother and Child Hospital, cancer care, and super-speciality services.

What the speech emphasised

Birla linked healthcare access with broader public welfare, medical education, and social responsibility. He urged private institutions to expand services in a way that benefits all sections of society and called on medical students to serve in villages and rural areas.

He also said India must strengthen capabilities in medical research and innovation so that the country can respond to existing and emerging diseases. He referred to India’s role during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Indian scientists contributed to vaccine development.

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