Modi unveils national digital health mission
PM asserts that the respect for India’s sovereignty is supreme, vows to unveil a new cybersecurity policy soon and hints at restarting the poll process in J&K in his I-day speech
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced the launch of a National Digital Health Mission ( NDHM), as he addressed the nation on the occasion of the 74th Independence Day.
“It will bring a revolution in the health sector in India,” he said.
Every Indian will get a Health ID card, Modi said. “It will have the information of every test, every disease, medicines prescribed to you by doctors, and details of the clinical reports. Every time you visit a doctor or a pharmacy, everything will be logged in this health card in your profile on a national scale.” The scheme will come under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana.
Medical facilities can be accessed remotely through this ID. From a doctor’s appointment to hospitalisation for any treatment, this ID will become essential.
Enough measures are being taken to ensure that these health-related confidential data don’t get misused, the prime minister said.
Modi expressed concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic. “We’re going through distinct times.
I can’t see young children in front of me today. Corona has stopped everyone. In these times, Corona warriors have lived the mantra of ‘Seva Parmo Dharma’ and served the people of India. I express my gratitude to them,” He assured that India will start working on a war footing to make COVID-19 vaccine available to all those who need it the most, as soon as the scientists give green signal. “The distribution roadmap is ready,” he said.
“Everybody today is concerned about coronavirus. Everyone wants to know when the vaccine will be available. Our scientists are working tirelessly. I am happy to announce that there is not one, but three vaccines,” Modi said.
The PM stressed commitment to “Aatmanirbhar Bharat.” People across the country have taken a pledge amid the coronavirus pandemic to “self-reliant,” he said. “It has become a ‘mantra’ for the 130 crore Indians today.” “I am confident that India will realise this dream. I am confident of the abilities, confidence and potential of my fellow Indians. Once we decide to do something, we do not rest until we achieve that goal.
“A few months back we used to import N-95 masks, PPE kits and ventilators. Today India is not only meeting its requirements but it has also stepped forward to help other countries. Today, many big companies are turning towards India. We have to move forward with the mantra of ‘Make for the world’ along with ‘Make in India.’” Modi asserted that the respect for India’s sovereignty is supreme and Indian Army has responded from the LOC to the LAC whoever raised an eye on the sovereignty of the country.
“India is connecting its relations with its neighbours, whether they are connected to it on land or from the sea, with the partnership of security, development and trust.
“Today neighbour is not just the one with whom we share border but also those with whom our heart stays connected, where there is harmony in relations. I’m happy that in past some time India has further strengthened its relations with all countries in ‘extended neighbourhood.’” An agriculture infrastructure fund of Rs1 lakh crore has been created to give modern infrastructure to farmers, Modi said. The Centre will soon unveil a new cybersecurity policy. The Centre is rapidly expanding India’s optical fibre network which will reach every gram panchayat within 1,000 days.
“Within next 1000 days, over 600,000 villages will be connected with a fiber-optic network; we will soon unveil a new cybersecurity policy,” he said.
Modi hinted at restarting the electoral process in Jammu and Kashmir, remarking that his government was “commited” to ensure that the former state has its own chief minister, ministers and MLAS.
Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Saturday called up Modi to convey his best wishes on India’s 74th Independence Day, the Ministry of External Affairs ( MEA) said.
The MEA said the two leaders expressed mutual solidarity in the context of the efforts being made to minimise the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in both the countries.
“PM Modi offered India’s continued support to Nepal in this regard. He thanked the Prime Minister of Nepal for his telephone call and recalled the civilisational and cultural links that India and Nepal share.”