SANGRUR: Mansukh Mandaviya, the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, visited the PGIMER Satellite Center in this town in Punjab on Sunday to assess its development and said that it will be operational by January 2017.
"With the pace at which the work is being executed, including the procurement of medical devices and equipment, the Satellite Centre will be fully functional by January 2023 and will provide a huge relief not only for the local population but for those far and wide," the minister said, expressing satisfaction with the project's progress.
The Prime Minister announced a "free precaution vaccination drive" on July 15 for 75 days to commemorate Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. The Union minister provided an update on the initiative's success, noting that "over 13 crore people have already taken advantage of this facility by getting vaccinated under this initiative in one month and three days to date." In particular, he urged the country's most vulnerable citizens to get immunised within the next 75 days and arm themselves against the COVID crisis.
"Our country has been acknowledged across the globe for two reasons; for COVID management by sticking to the recommendations and for immunisation push by crossing the mark of over 200 crore doses," the minister said, praising medical professionals for their admirable role in limiting the COVID crisis.
Endorsing the need for "affordable health for all," the minister discussed government efforts to promote generic medications, including the opening of an app called "Jan Aushadhi Sugam" and the establishment of more than 8,500 Jan Aushadhi Kendras nationwide, which are visited by more than 20 lakh people each day. The National Medical Council was also involved in the awareness campaign. He also mentioned the opening of a Jan Aushadhi Kendra at the Sangrur Satellite Center.
Mandaviya reviews progress of COVID vaccination campaign
Over 11,000 new COVID-19 cases, 34 deaths in last 24 hours