CM Yogi addresses a program organized at BRD Medical College in Gorakhpur, gifts development projects worth Rs 55.43 cr

Gorakhpur : Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Saturday, commended the unwavering dedication of doctors who continue to serve patients tirelessly even in challenging situations. He said that along with the spirit of service towards the patient and attendant, it is very important for a doctor to have patience as well.

The Chief Minister was addressing a function organized in the auditorium of Baba Raghav Das (BRD) Medical College in Gorakhpur. He said, “It is the responsibility of doctors to respect the faith of common people in them through their hard work and dedication.”

CM Yogi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of several development projects at the medical college and launched various new facilities in public interest on the occasion. He then distributed tablets and smartphones to MBBS and paramedical students.

The Chief Minister emphasized the profound emotional impact of illness on families. He acknowledged the significant stress experienced when a family member falls ill, noting that some patients are the heads of their families while others may be children, underscoring the emotional and social stakes involved.

He highlighted that financial stress has been substantially alleviated with large-scale assistance provided by the government from the Ayushman Yojana and the Chief Minister’s Discretionary Fund. However, he pointed out that the psychological and emotional challenges faced by the sick and their caregivers remain significant. He lamented fights between patients and caregivers.

Emphasizing the role of healthcare providers, the Chief Minister mentioned that doctors should be recognized not only for their skills and service but also for their patience. He warned that a lapse in a doctor’s patience could exacerbate a patient’s problems. He said that a few kind words from a doctor could significantly improve a patient’s condition and potentially give them a new lease on life.

He recalled a time when the BRD Medical College in Gorakhpur was the sole medical institution serving the entire division. At that time, there were no medical colleges in Basti, Ayodhya, Azamgarh, or the Devipatan division.

“Today, medical colleges have been established in numerous districts, including Kushinagar, Deoria, Basti, Siddharthnagar, Gonda, Bahraich, Ayodhya, Ambedkarnagar, Sultanpur, Amethi, and Azamgarh. Medical colleges have commenced operations under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model in Maharajganj, Shamli, and Sambhal. The process of constructing medical colleges is also underway in Balrampur and Ballia”, he said.

CM Yogi highlighted the state’s rapid progress towards the goal of one district-one medical college. “This year, Uttar Pradesh will see admissions for over 10,500 MBBS seats. This is expected to significantly alleviate the shortage of doctors in the state. The government has established new medical colleges across the state. The government has also equipped existing institutions with top-tier facilities and resources. These enhancements in healthcare facilities have led to remarkable progress”, he remarked.

He highlighted that as per the National Health Survey, the maternal mortality rate in Uttar Pradesh has dramatically decreased from 285 in 2011-2014 to 150-165 today. Similarly, the infant mortality rate has fallen from 57 per thousand live births to between 30 and 35. He stressed the importance of continuous efforts to achieve excellence in the health and medical sector. He urged for ongoing updates and integration of new research and technology to maintain and further these advancements.

During the inauguration event, the Chief Minister recounted the institution’s dramatic transformation over the past 30-35 years. He recalled a time when the college’s degree and recognition were at risk, and encephalitis posed a severe threat to children in eastern Uttar Pradesh. Facilities were dire, with overcrowded wards, insufficient beds, and poor sanitation.

He shared his personal involvement in advocating for improvements since he first became an MP in 1998. The efforts have led to significant changes over the last six to seven years. The college has seen a remarkable turnaround, with only forty encephalitis patients admitted this year with no fatalities. He praised the inter-departmental coordination and teamwork that have made encephalitis control a model for the nation and the world.

During his address, CM Yogi expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his significant contributions to BRD Medical College. He credited PM Modi with providing a super specialty block to tackle the encephalitis crisis, establishing an ICMR regional center for critical investigations, and approving the opening of AIIMS in Gorakhpur in 2016.

The CM shared his experiences of interacting with patients, noting that despite the construction of medical colleges in nearby districts, patients from those areas, as well as Bihar and Nepal, continue to place their trust in BRD Medical College. He highlighted the institution’s growing reputation, stating that BRD is now competing with AIIMS, a renowned name in the medical field. To maintain this competitive edge, the Chief Minister emphasized the need for doctors to be prepared and assured that there would be no shortage of resources.

The Chief Minister also underscored the importance of digital platforms in the medical and health sectors. He suggested forming MoUs with key institutions to deliver services through digital methods. “To equip medical students with digital skills, the government is providing tablets and smartphones, aiming to empower the youth and support their aspirations,” he said.

CM Yogi also inspected the 500-bedded hospital, pediatric ICU, and burn unit at BRD Medical College. During his visit, he inquired about the condition of the admitted patients, interacted with them, and distributed fruits while wishing them a speedy recovery. He also visited the Emergency Life Support Lab and inquired about emergency treatment from the doctors there.

During the event, tablet-smartphones were also distributed to 483 MBBS and paramedical students under the Swami Vivekananda Yuva Sashaktikaran Yojana. Fifteen students received their devices directly from the Chief Minister.

It is noteworthy that under the Swami Vivekananda Yuva Sashaktikaran Yojana, tablets-smartphones have been distributed to 118938 students in Gorakhpur district since the inception of the scheme in the year 2021-22, while the distribution of 22125 tablets is going on through colleges.

Facilities inaugurated

-CT scan machine at the cost of Rs 7 crore 17 lakh

• OPD of Genetic Medicine
  -OPD of Pediatrics Orthopedics
• Milk Bank
• Sample Collection Center in Microbiology Department
• Installation of Fully Automatic Tissue Processor, Fully Automatic Urine Analyzer, 5 Part Simex CBC Analyzer and Alignity Machine of New Advanced Technology Hormone Tumor Maker Deduction in Pathology Department
• Expansion of IHC panel’s range

Projects inaugurated during the event

• Burn Unit: Established at a cost of Rs 6.13 crore.
• Pharmacy College Expansion: Construction work costing Rs 8.05 crore.
• National Emergency Life Support Lab: Set up at a cost of Rs 2.68 crore.
• Lithotripsy Machine: Installed at a cost of Rs 11.25 lakh.
• Stadium Boundary Wall Construction: Completed at a cost of Rs 97.9 lakh.

CM Yogi also laid the foundation stone of the construction work of a 100 seater hostel for nurses working in Super Specialty Hospital at the cost of Rs. 30 crore 31 lakh 35 thousand.

On this occasion, Cabinet Minister (Fisheries Development) Sanjay Nishad, Mayor Dr. Manglesh Srivastava, Mahendrapal Singh Shriram Chauhan (MLA), Vipin Singh (MLA), Rajesh Tripathi, Dr. Vimlesh Paswan, Pradeep Shukla, Sarwan Nishad, MLC and BJP State Vice President Dr. Dharmendra Singh, Principal Secretary Medical Parth Sarthi Sen Sharma, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ashutosh Dubey, Principal of BRD Medical College Dr. Ramkumar Jaiswal, BJP Metropolitan President Rajesh Gupta etc. were present.