Haryana Health Minister Arti Singh Rao assured that there will be no shortage of doctors in the state, as medical colleges are being established in every district, increasing MBBS admission seats to 3,600.
Speaking in the Haryana Assembly during the budget session’s discussion on the Governor’s address, the Minister expressed concern over the state’s sex ratio and urged all political parties to contribute to raising public awareness. She highlighted that in 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign from Panipat. Due to the Haryana government’s efforts, the sex ratio has improved from 871 girls per 1,000 boys in 2014 to 910, with continued efforts to equalize it.
At the start of her address, she thanked the people for electing the BJP government for a third consecutive term. She noted that despite attempts to mislead voters, the electorate chose BJP because of its commitment to merit-based job opportunities. She praised Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini for fulfilling his promises, including issuing appointment letters to 24,000 youths before taking oath again.
Highlighting the government’s initiatives for South Haryana, she pointed out that earlier governments neglected the region’s water needs. However, under BJP rule, drought conditions have improved, and water has been consistently supplied through canals for the past decade. She also expressed hope that the Chief Minister would take further steps to improve groundwater levels in the region.
The Minister lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s healthcare initiatives, particularly the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, which has relieved poor families from healthcare expenses. Haryana has extended this initiative with the Chirayu scheme, spending ₹1,500 crore to benefit 40 lakh families. The state has also significantly increased its health budget from ₹2,800 crore in 2014 to ₹10,000 crore in 2024-25, with 55-60% allocated to the Ayushman scheme.
Recently, the Chief Minister distributed appointment letters to 1,090 newly selected doctors, and the remaining vacancies will be filled soon. The Minister emphasized that with new medical colleges in every district, MBBS seats have increased from 700 in 2014 to 2,185, and will reach 3,600 once all colleges are operational, ensuring an adequate number of doctors.
In response to a query in the Assembly, she confirmed that an Urban Health Center will be constructed in Azad Nagar, Hisar, replacing the current facility operating in a private building. Following the Chief Minister’s June 2024 announcement, land near the Saket Colony community center on Gangwa Road has been identified, and construction will begin once it is officially transferred to the Health Department. She also noted that this center is just 7 km away from Hisar’s 200-bed district civil hospital.