The role of a soldier and a doctor is alike—both safeguard the common man: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

Lucknow : During the 25th foundation day celebration of Dr. KNS Memorial Hospital in Lucknow, Defence Minister and Lucknow MP Rajnath Singh said that soldiers and doctors do similar work, as both protect the common people—one by treating patients, and the other by fighting enemies across the border.

Speaking for the first time in his constituency after the success of Operation Sindoor, Rajnath Singh said that India launched the operation to target terrorist bases in Pakistan. The Indian Army successfully destroyed many of these hideouts. He compared the Army’s actions to those of skilled doctors and surgeons, saying, “Just as a surgeon removes the root of a disease, Indian soldiers used weapons to destroy the roots of terrorism.”

The Defence Minister mentioned that Pakistan tried to attack Indian soil and targeted civilians, temples, gurdwaras, and churches. In response, the Indian Army launched a strong counter-operation that forced the Pakistani forces to back down. He stressed that during the operation, the Indian forces were careful not to harm civilians. “We made sure that the attacks were only on terrorist camps, not where civilians live,” he said.

He compared Indian soldiers to skilled surgeons, saying both act with precision and care. He also pointed out that there are many similarities between the work of soldiers and doctors. Both protect common people—soldiers defend the nation, while doctors protect health.

He highlighted that both professions require strict discipline, tough training, and the ability to make quick decisions in critical situations. “Like our brave soldiers during Operation Sindoor, doctors too proved their courage and commitment during COVID-19,” he said, adding that both are always ready to serve in emergencies.

The Defence Minister shared an emotional memory while speaking at the event. He said, “I inaugurated this hospital on May 12, 2000. What I saw back then in Dr. K.N. Singh’s eyes—a dream, a vision, a purpose—has now become a reality.”

He praised Dr. Singh for returning to India from the United States and becoming a shining example of “brain gain.” Rajnath Singh recalled that in 1997, he lost his mother to a heart attack due to the lack of timely medical care. That personal loss became a turning point for Dr. Singh, who decided to ensure that no one else should suffer because of inadequate treatment. “Personal tragedies often lead to bitterness, but Dr. Singh transformed his pain into inspiration and service,” he said.

The Defence Minister also highlighted Dr. Singh’s contributions in Lucknow, Azamgarh, and Ambedkar Nagar, appreciating his dedication to improving healthcare in those regions.

Expressing concern over modern lifestyle diseases, Singh said, “India is now being called the diabetes capital of the world. Around 10 crore Indians have diabetes, and 14 crore are in the pre-diabetic stage.” He emphasized that early detection and proper health management can help patients lead normal lives, and doctors must take the lead in spreading awareness about healthy living.

He further added that even the most skilled doctors cannot do their best without proper infrastructure and facilities. “Investment in medical infrastructure and human resources should be a top priority for every government,” he added.

The Defence Minister further said that health is now among the highest priority sectors of the government. He informed that a budget of Rs 95 thousand, 957 crores has been allocated for healthcare in the financial year 2025–26. He also shared the achievements of the Ayushman Bharat scheme, stating that over 8 crore people have benefited from it so far. “The government has spent more than Rs 1.25 lakh crore to ensure healthcare access for the poor and underprivileged,” he said.

He added that nearly 19 lakh people, who could not have afforded treatment without health insurance, were able to get it through Ayushman Bharat. “Due to this scheme, out-of-pocket healthcare expenses for people have come down from 62% to 38%,” he said.

Rajnath Singh also spoke about the expansion of Jan Aushadhi Kendras, noting that over 14,000 centers have been set up across the country, and efforts are underway to open more in rural areas in collaboration with PACS. He also pointed out that the government has controlled medicine prices through the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority.

Highlighting the rapid growth in medical education and infrastructure over the past decade, Singh said, “In 2014, there were only 387 medical colleges in India. Today, that number has doubled to 780.” He added that MBBS seats have increased by 130%, from around 50,000 to nearly 1.2 lakh now.

The Defence Minister praised Uttar Pradesh’s remarkable progress in the healthcare sector under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. He said that the double-engine government is fully committed to public health and welfare.

He highlighted that the Yogi government has not only effectively implemented Central health schemes but also launched impactful state-level initiatives. “From rapid ambulance response to timely treatment and robust health infrastructure, Yogi Ji’s work is now being recognized even in other states,” Singh remarked.

Referring to the success in controlling Japanese Encephalitis (JE), Rajnath Singh shared a major transformation in Purvanchal. “Before 2017, every year from July to September, 1500-2,000 children used to die due to JE, especially in Gorakhpur and surrounding areas. Previous governments considered it fate,” he said. However, under the BJP government, Yogi Adityanath took it upon himself to end this tragic pattern. With intense efforts and close monitoring, the number of child deaths due to JE has now dropped to almost zero, he added.

The Defence Minister said, “Under the leadership of Yogi Ji, Uttar Pradesh is moving towards setting up a medical college in every district. In terms of MBBS seats, UP is now the second in the country, and it ranks number one in the total number of medical colleges.”

He added: “There are 80 functional medical colleges in the state—44 run by the government and 36 by the private sector. UP is an excellent example of public-private partnership in the medical sector. This journey of partnership will take the state even further ahead.”

The event was attended by several prominent leaders, including Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak, Rajya Sabha MPs Dr. Dinesh Sharma, Sudhanshu Trivedi, and Sanjay Seth, as well as ministers Swatantra Dev Singh and JPS Rathore. Mayor Sushma Kharkwal, MLC Mukesh Sharma, MLA Neeraj Bora, and other dignitaries were also present. Chairperson Madhulika Singh and Dr. Rahul Singh welcomed the guests.