Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Sunday, 12 July called on government bodies and private institutions to join hands in ensuring that quality healthcare is accessible to every citizen, including the most marginalised sections of society. He made these remarks while inaugurating a private health facility in Nashik, Maharashtra, according to an official statement.

Key Remarks at the Inauguration

Birla underscored that the Central government has consistently worked to advance the health and well-being of all Indians. He noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has long championed a healthy lifestyle, and that Yoga has since evolved into a daily practice for millions across the world. He stressed the importance of adopting Yoga and an environmentally sustainable way of living as essential tools for a disease-free life.

Strengthening India's Healthcare System

The Speaker outlined several steps the Centre has taken to bolster the country's medical infrastructure — including the expansion of hospital facilities, an increase in seats at medical colleges, and the launch of flagship programmes such as Ayushman Bharat. He noted that private sector participation has also yielded tangible results, with new medical colleges being established and greater emphasis being placed on research alongside the treatment of serious illnesses.

The Case for Medical Research and Innovation

Birla placed particular emphasis on the need for medical professionals and institutions to equip themselves to tackle both existing and emerging diseases. He called for the establishment of dedicated research and innovation centres within universities and colleges. Notably, he recalled a period when India was heavily dependent on developed nations for healthcare solutions — a dependence that was dramatically challenged during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Indian scientists made significant contributions to global vaccine development.

He stressed that the government and private sector must collaborate to advance research, science, and technology, and to build robust responses to future health threats. Strengthening medical infrastructure, he argued, must go hand in hand with sustained investment in scientific capabilities and innovation.

Public-Private Partnership as the Way Forward

Birla's address reinforced a broader policy direction: that bridging India's healthcare gap requires not just government spending, but meaningful private sector engagement. This comes amid ongoing efforts to expand the reach of Ayushman Bharat and increase the number of MBBS seats in the country. With new diseases capable of emerging without warning, the Speaker's call for preparedness and research investment carries particular weight in a post-pandemic context.

As India continues to expand its health infrastructure, the challenge of ensuring equitable access — especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities and rural areas — remains central to the national healthcare agenda.