Raipur, Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai said that we will realize the dream of a developed Chhattisgarh with the health of 3 crore people of the state. In the last 20 months, our government has worked to strengthen the health infrastructure of the state and to deliver health services to inaccessible areas.
Chief Minister Shri Sai was addressing the program after inaugurating the three-day Dental Conference 2025 organized at a private hotel in Raipur today. On this occasion, the Chief Minister inspected the exhibition of useful equipment related to dental treatment and dental care and also released the annual souvenir of the Dental Association.
Chief Minister Shri Sai said that from the first day of the formation of the government, we have given top priority to the health of the people of the state. Approval has been given for five new medical colleges in the state, along with the establishment of institutions like physiotherapy, nursing and mother-child hospitals. He said that along with a healthy Chhattisgarh, we are also talking about progress.
He said that there has been a rapid expansion of health services in the state. In 2000, there was only one medical college, whereas today 15 medical colleges have been established. Patients and the elderly are getting free treatment facilities from the Ayushman Bharat Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana. At the same time, cheap generic medicines are providing relief to the general public.
Referring to serious diseases like cancer, the Chief Minister said that the cases of mouth cancer are continuously increasing due to pan masala, gutkha and tobacco. He said that dentists have an important role in taking care of teeth and giving a beautiful smile. He appealed to the doctors to run a massive public awareness campaign in this direction.
He emotionally shared the memories of his parliamentary tenure. He told that in 1999, when the revered Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the Prime Minister, there was pressure on AIIMS Delhi from patients across the country. Then we had requested in the Parliament that AIIMS should also be established in Chhattisgarh. Fortunately, after the formation of the state on November 1, 2000, six states received the gift of AIIMS in the first installment and Chhattisgarh also achieved this historic achievement.
The Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has resolved to make India a developed nation by the year 2047. In this direction, the Chhattisgarh government has prepared the ‘Chhattisgarh Vision 2047’ document and has set a target of taking the state forward by making 10 missions.
Shri Sai said that the current GSDP of the state is 5 lakh crore, which is targeted to reach 75 lakh crore by the year 2047. We are working with full dedication and commitment in this direction. He said that Chhattisgarh is rich in mineral and forest resources, hardworking farmers and industrious people are its real strength. Repeating the saying “Chhattisgarhiya Sabse Badhiya”, he expressed confidence that the state would definitely achieve its goals by 2047.
Referring to the GST reforms, the Chief Minister said that recently the GST slabs have been made uniform at 5 and 18 percent. This will benefit the trade and agriculture sector and simplify business activities. This reflects the Prime Minister’s vision, which will make India economically stronger.
Chief Minister Shri Sai finally said that “Human smile is the most precious and the role of dentists in protecting and preserving it is extremely important.” He said that through this three-day conference, dentists will discuss in detail the diseases related to mouth and teeth and new possibilities will open up towards their treatment.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Shri Shyam Bihari Jaiswal said that the Chief Minister is continuously reviewing health services and quality facilities are being provided to the Naxal affected and remote areas. He said that 20 specialist doctors have been appointed in Bastar and it is proof of our efforts that the Chintagufa Health Center of Sukma district has received the NQAS certificate.
He said that with the approval of five new medical colleges in the state, there will now be a total of 15 medical colleges. Apart from this, a super specialty hospital, 12 new nursing colleges and five physiotherapy colleges are being established in Bilaspur. Shri Jaiswal said that mobile medical units are being started in the areas with special backward tribes and bike ambulance service for the remote areas. He said that Chhattisgarh has become the state providing the most cashless treatment facility in the entire country.
Indian Dental Association Chhattisgarh President Dr. Arvind Kumar, former President Dr. Rajiv Singh, Conference Chairman Dr. Vaibhav Tiwari and a large number of dentists from all over the country were present at the conference.