At a high-profile cardiology summit in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath delivered a compelling vision for India’s future health framework. Speaking at the NIC-2026 event organized by the Cardiological Society of India at Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical University, he declared that combating the NCD epidemic demands equal emphasis on prevention strategies and advanced treatment systems.
‘Fast-evolving lifestyles have unleashed NCDs as a major societal alarm,’ Yogi observed. Heart diseases, diabetes, and related ailments are surging, necessitating a shift from reactive healthcare to proactive measures. He advocated transforming medical systems from illness-focused to ones rooted in lifestyle improvements and community education, essential for a sustainable, healthy populace.
Yogi spotlighted Uttar Pradesh’s healthcare revolution. From a meager 17 medical colleges serving 25 crore people ten years back, the state now operates 81, plus two AIIMS. District-level ICUs, widespread cath labs, upgraded legacy colleges, and private super-specialty expansions have fortified services. Telemedicine innovations from premier institutes connect the entire state, while medical and pharma parks promise affordable, quality care.
Financial safeguards have been game-changers. Ayushman Bharat blankets 55-60 crore citizens with Rs 5 lakh yearly coverage, easing treatment burdens. The CM Relief Fund allocated Rs 1,400 crore in 2025, and the state scheme now covers educators, frontline health workers, and more. Procedures like bypass surgeries and angioplasties are accessible to the underprivileged.
However, challenges persist. Massive patient volumes overwhelm public hospitals, with OPDs handling thousands daily, diluting care quality. Yogi linked this to modern vices: excessive gadget addiction, poor diets, and food adulteration—evident in raids uncovering impure festival sweets. He reminisced about India’s heritage of timely sleep, exercise, and nutrition, now eroded.
Doctors, he implored, must spearhead change by advocating moderation in tech use, balanced habits, and yoga. Government efforts on both fronts—awareness and infrastructure—aim for affordable, effective health services. Laborers benefit from physical activity but need screenings.
Yogi praised the university’s role in unifying medical education and the venue’s fitting tribute to Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Urging global experts to devise integrated solutions, he affirmed that healthy citizens build strong societies and nations, aligning with the ‘Viksit Bharat’ dream.
