New Delhi:

In a span of just nine years, the number of MBBS seats in Nagaland has increased from 64,000 to 1.6 lakh while that of the post-graduation seats has doubled, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Saturday as he inaugurated the Nagaland Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (NIMSR) in Kohima, the first medical college in the northeastern state.

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said it was a historic day for the people of Nagaland as a long-cherished dream of theirs was fulfilled.

Mansukh Mandaviya highlighted that the NIMSR is not just a medical college, but also a research institute.

“It will not only fulfil the purpose of imparting medical education, but will also address the health issues of the Naga people,” he said.

Highlighting the Centre’s commitment towards improving medical education in the northeastern state, Mandaviya said, “In a span of just nine years, the (number of) MBBS seats in Nagaland has increased from 64,000 to 1.6 lakh. Similarly, PG seats have also doubled in the last nine years.” In a word of encouragement for the students and other stakeholders, the Union health minister said they should not limit their scope of research within the national borders. “We must encash on opportunities abroad as well,” he said.

Mr Mandaviya informed that the Centre has started foreign language courses in many medical education institutes, so that students can have an edge in getting jobs abroad.

He said strengthening medical, nursing and pharmacy education in the country is an endeavour of the BJP-led Centre for the holistic development and expansion of the country’s health sector.

“The aim is to ensure that each citizen of India is able to get access to affordable and accessible healthcare across the country,” the minister said. He also highlighted the expansion of the “jan aushadhi kendras” all over the country to improve access to quality and affordable medicines for all.

NIMSR, Kohima is affiliated to the Nagaland University. It received the letter of permission for the admission of 100 MBBS students from academic year 2023-2024 from the National Medical Commission (NMC) in April, paving the way to start the first medical college in Nagaland after 60 years of statehood, realising the long-cherished dream of the people of the northeastern state, the health ministry said in a statement.

It said 85 MBBS students from Nagaland and six from the all-India seats got admitted to the NIMSR and have joined the MBBS classes after their induction programme on September 1.

“This is a historic day for the people of Nagaland as we inaugurated the first medical college in the state,” Neiphiu Rio said. Highlighting that it was a long-cherished dream of the people of Nagaland to have a medical college in their state, the chief minister thanked the Union government for steadfastly taking up the project.

Chief Minister Rio also said the NIMSR would help the state strengthen its secondary and tertiary healthcare and hoped that it would become a centre of excellence in the future.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

 Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday said of the 90 medicines for cancer, India gives out 42 at the cheapest rates.

He was speaking at the inauguration of “Sanjeevani: United Against Cancer”, a joint initiative of the Federal Bank Hormis Memorial Foundation, News18 Network and Tata Trusts.

“We are increasing (the number of) cancer hospitals and tertiary care facilities. Our approach towards the health sector is holistic. We have increased (the number of) MBBS and post-graduate medical seats and colleges, and created medical educational resources. The Ayushman Bharat health infrastructure mission is working towards it. We launched the pharma policy on Tuesday. We are the pharmacy of the world in generic medicines,” Mr Mandaviya said.

Health can never be a political subject nor commercial, he said, adding that it is “seva” (service) for India.

“With time, the pattern of diseases changes. It is important to have a holistic approach towards the sector. Health can never be a political subject. We merged health with development from 2014. Not as a token, but a total gesture. Instead of just opening dispensaries, we focused on making health services accessible to all,” the minister said.

The country belongs to all its citizens and the responsibility for its well-being lies with each individual, he said, adding, “It was this shared responsibility and collective effort that enabled the nation to effectively combat the challenges posed by COVID-19.” The primary goal of “Sanjeevani” is to promote awareness, foster discussions about the silent cancer epidemic and address the common fears associated with the disease, he noted.

“The Sanjeevani initiative will lead to discussions and deliberations. Send a note on it to us, so we can track the suggestions coming from people. The (Narendra) Modi government believes in stakeholder consultation. Public partnership is integral to India’s health model. Share your ideas with us, so we can fight the diseases,” the minister said.

He acknowledged the crucial role played by the country’s 10 lakh “ASHA behen”, each serving a population of 1,000, and highlighted their role in collecting vital healthcare information through family visits.

Mr Mandaviya discussed the government’s approach to cancer care, emphasising health and wellness screenings at district-level hospitals and fee waivers for impoverished patients. He noted that cancer medicines are available at non-profit prices due to India’s fixed trade margin, with a focus on making healthcare more affordable and accessible.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

The Nipah virus spreads much slower than Covid and unlike Covid, it spreads through a vector, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya told NDTV today. A treatment protocol is there and once the tests are done and the disease is identified, the treatment can progress fast, he added.

Five cases of Nipah virus have surfaced in Kerala. Two people have died and the other three, including a nine-year-old boy, are undergoing treatment. The boy is critical and on ventilator support.

Asked about the new disease triggering fresh panic in view of the pandemic the world went through four years ago, the minister told NDTV in an exclusive interview: “I’d like to assure that Covid taught us many things including our weaknesses and has led to better surveillance systems.”

The government, he said, has set up such a system now that information of any outbreak — even from a remote village — can reach the Central command system immediately. “We can conduct surveillance at a remote village and gather information,” he said.

Part of the reason is the district laboratories the government is setting up at every district, he said. The government has spent Rs 100 crore in each district setting up labs for testing which will be done for free.  

“We are setting up this system across the country, so the Centre is informed immediately… genome sequencing is done and the information comes to the command centre,” he said.

Speaking of the current outbreak, he said, “Today at a village in Kozhikode there is the Nipah virus outbreak. It came into out notice immediately, and we took action immediately. Our teams went, the SOP was implemented and the state and Centre took action. We will do whatever needed to ensure there are no new cases,” he added.

“I’d like to assure the country that the Narendra Modi government is taking care of the country’s health sector in a very thorough and careful manner,” he added.

The virus, spread through vectors like bats and pigs, causes fever, respiratory distress, headaches, and vomiting, There is no vaccine to prevent or cure the infection. The treatment involves supportive care.

The Kerala government has declared seven villages in Kozhikode district — Atanchery, Maruthonkara, Tiruvallur, Kuttiyadi, Kayakkodi, Villyapalli, and Kavilumpara — have been declared containment zones. Essential items are being delivered to those in isolation.  

The state has formed 19 core committees to coordinate the measures to contain the spread of the virus.

New Delhi:

A campaign to ensure optimum delivery of health schemes to every intended beneficiary, including those in the last mile, will be launched by the President on September 13, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Monday.

Though the “Ayushman Bhava” campaign will be launched on September 13, it will be introduced during the ‘Seva Pakhwada’ starting on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday on September 17, he said.

Several activities have been planned to enhance healthcare accessibility and awareness during the pakhwada that will end on October 2, Mr Mandaviya stated.

“Following the vision of ‘Antyodaya‘, saturation of health services in every village is very important to achieve the target of health for all,” the minister said.

Ayushman Bhava is an umbrella campaign comprising Ayushman Apke Dwar 3.0 which is aimed at creation and distribution of Ayushman cards to all remaining eligible beneficiaries; Ayushman Mela as part of which weekly health melas will be held at the level of AB-HWCs and Community Health Centres (CHCs) and Ayushman Sabha, a village/ward level sabha to be held to enhance awareness about various health care schemes and services.

“With the successful implementation of all the above initiatives, the campaign will eventually ensure gram/nagar panchayat to attain the status of ‘Ayushman Gram Panchayat’ or ‘Ayushman Ward’ with saturation of selected health indicators,” stated Mr Mandaviya.

Mr Mandaviya said during this programme, camps will be set up and 60,000 people will be given Ayushman Bharat cards.

An online organ donation pledge registry will be initiated during the ‘Sewa Pakhwada’ to register the pledges of willing citizens all over the country.

A 24×7 toll free helpline number — 1800114770 — is functional for providing any guidance related to the pledging process or information on organ donation, according to a letter written by Mr Mandaviya to all cabinet ministers and chief ministers.

During the ‘Seva Pakhwada’, all blood banks will organise at least one blood donation camp to ensure smooth availability of blood and its components in the future. Cleanliness drives at all public health facilities at primary, secondary and tertiary health care levels will be held with the support of gram panchayat members and others.

Mr Mandaviya said last year on the Prime Minister’s birthday, the government worked on the issue of tuberculosis.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilizers Mansukh Mandaviya addresses a press conference on Cabinet Decisions, in New Delhi on June 28, 2023.
| Photo Credit: PTI

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on Wednesday approved the PM-PRANAM (PM Programme for Restoration, Awareness, Generation, Nourishment and Amelioration of Mother Earth) scheme, which was a promise made in the last Budget. Union Fertilizer Minister Mansukh Mandaviya told reporters after the meeting that the new scheme would promote use of nutrient-based, biofertilizers for sustainable agriculture and it would have a total outlay of ₹3,70,128.7 crore.

The CCEA also hiked the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane by ₹10 per quintal. The FRP for the sugar season 2023-24 (October-September) will be ₹315 per quintal for a basic recovery rate of 10.25%. Last year, the amount was ₹305.

The PM-PRANAM scheme was aimed at saving the soil and promote sustainable, balanced use of fertilizers and it involved the participation of State governments, Mr. Mandaviya said. He said the Centre would incentivise those States which would adopt alternative fertilizers with the subsidy that was saved by reducing the use of chemical fertilizers. Mr. Mandaviya said if a State was using 10 lakh tonnes of conventional fertilizers and reduces its consumption by three lakh tonnes, then the subsidy saving would be ₹3,000 crore. “Out of that subsidy savings, the Centre will give 50% of it — ₹1,500 crore to the State for promoting the use of alternative fertilizer and other development works,” the Minister added.

Also read: Cabinet nod to set up National Research Foundation to boost R and D

Urea subsidy scheme

The Centre said in a release that the scheme included a bouquet of various schemes which would boost farmers’ income, strengthen natural / organic farming, rejuvenate soil productivity, and ensure food security. The CCEA also approved continuation of the urea subsidy scheme to ensure constant availability of urea to the farmers at the same price of ₹242/ 45 kg per bag. “Out of the above approved package, ₹3,68,676.7 crore has been committed for urea subsidy for three years. This is apart from recently approved nutrient-based subsidy of ₹38,000 crore for the Kharif season for 2023-24. The farmers need not spend extra for purchase of urea, and this will help moderate their input costs,” the release said.

Mr. Mandaviya said the use of nano urea had also increased in the country. “By 2025-26, eight nano urea plants with production capacity of 44 crore bottles, equalling to 195 lakh tonnes of conventional urea, will be commissioned,” he said.

Apart from that, ₹1,451.84 crore has been approved for Market Development Assistance (MDA) for promoting organic fertilizers from Gobardhan plants. Fermented Organic Manures (FOM)/Liquid FOM/Phosphate Rich Organic Manures (PROM) produced as by-product from bio-gas plants/Compressed Biogas (CBG) plants set up under umbrella Gobardhan initiative will be promoted. “Such organic fertilizers would be branded in the names of Bharat Brand FOM, LFOM and PROM. This on one hand will facilitate in addressing the challenge of management of crop residue and problems of stubble burning, and will also help in keeping the environment clean and safe and at the same time provide an additional source of income for farmers. Farmers will get organic fertilizers (FOM/LFOM/ PROM) at affordable prices,” the Centre said.

Also read: Govt. hikes sugarcane FRP by ₹10/quintal to ₹315/quintal for 2023-24 season

 

Cane farmers to benefit

Regarding the sugarcane FRP hike, the Centre said the decision was taken in the interest of sugarcane farmers. The CCEA also decided to provide a premium of ₹ 3.07 per quintal for each 0.1% increase in recovery over and above 10.25%, and reduction in FRP by ₹ 3.07 per quintal for every 0.1% decrease in recovery (sugar produced from the sugarcane).

“Further, with a view to protect interest of sugarcane farmers, government has also decided that there shall not be any deduction in case of sugar mills where recovery is below 9.5%. Such farmers will get ₹ 291.975 per quintal for sugarcane in ensuing sugar season 2023-24 in place of ₹ 282.125 per quintal in current sugar season 2022-23,” a Government release said. Announcing the decision after the CCEA meeting, Cabinet Minister for Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur said the move will also help to reduce the arrears to be given to farmers and sugar mills have adequate money to pay farmers.

The Centre has calculated the cost of production of sugarcane as ₹ 157 per quintal based on the inputs from States and the Commission on Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP). “This FRP of ₹ 315 per quintal at a recovery rate of 10.25% is higher by 100.6% over production cost. The FRP for sugar season 2023-24 is 3.28% higher than current sugar season 2022-23,” the Centre said.

In 2022-23, about 3,353 lakh tons of sugarcane of worth ₹1,11,366 crore purchased by sugar mills. A part of this is used for ethanol production too. “The Ethanol Blended with Petrol (EBP) Programme has saved foreign exchange as well as strengthen energy security of the country and has reduced dependence on imported fossil fuel thereby helping in achieving the goal of Atmanirbhar Bharat in petroleum sector,” the Centre said.

A farmer spreads fertilizer in a field at a village in Madurai. File
| Photo Credit: PTI

With fertilizer prices continuing to remain high due to global factors — such as a fall in production and hiked logistics costs, especially due to the Ukraine situation — the Centre expects this year’s fertilizer subsidy to cross ₹2.25 lakh crore. Accordingly, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved a ₹1.08 lakh crore subsidy for the ongoing kharif or monsoon season, Fertilizers Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said.

Out of this, ₹38,000 crore will subsidise phosphatic and potassic (P&K) fertilizers, while ₹70,000 crore will go toward the urea subsidy. Last year, the total fertilizer subsidy was about ₹2.56 lakh crore.

Stable urea, DAP rates

Mr. Mandaviya told journalists that the Centre would ensure that the prices of urea and diammonium phosphate (DAP) would remain unchanged during the season. At present, the subsidised rate of urea is ₹276 per bag and the price of DAP is ₹1,350 per bag. The decision will benefit about 12 crore farmers, the Minister added.

The total consumption of urea in the country is about 325 to 350 lakh metric tonnes (LMT). Apart from this, 100 to 125 LMT of DAP; 100 to 125 LMT of NPK; and 50 to 60 LMT of Muriate of Potash (MoP) are also sold in the country. “Farmers should get fertilizers on time. They should not be burdened at a time international prices are high,” he said.

12 cr farmers benefit

The Minister said that the fertilizer subsidy usually ranged between ₹1 lakh crore and ₹1.25 lakh crore. “Last year, it was ₹2.56 lakh crore,” he said, adding that as cultivation takes place on 1,400 lakh hectares of land across the country, the fertilizer subsidy for one hectare is about ₹8,909 subsidy. “We have 12 crore farmers and one farmer gets ₹21,223 subsidy,” he said.

The actual price of a bag of DAP was ₹4,000, Mr. Mandaviya said. “But for farmers, the rate is ₹1,350 per bag. ₹2,461 per bag is the subsidy,” he explained. The NPK subsidy is ₹1,639 per bag, while the MoP subsidy amounts to ₹734 per bag. The Centre spends ₹2,196 per bag of urea

“The rate of subsidy is based on the average price of fertilizer imported to the country in the last six months. We have to stock fertilizer so that farmers do not face any difficulties. We have adequate stocks of 150 LMT, which is available for kharif season,” he said, adding that the subsidy could go beyond ₹2.25 lakh crore this year.

Image for representation purpose only.
| Photo Credit: K.K. Mustafah

Considering the huge increase in the prices of fertilizers in global market, the Centre has ‘doubled’ the fertilizer subsidy for this rabi season. A meeting of the Union Cabinet here on Wednesday approved a subsidy of ₹51,875 crore to Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potash (K) and Sulphur (S) for Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilizers for the ongoing rabi season.

From the budget estimate of ₹21,000 crore of nutrient-based subsidy, the amount has been more than doubled, said Union Minister for Fertilizers and Chemicals Mansukh Mandaviya. Briefing reporters after the meeting, he said the Centre revised the subsidy keeping the increasing market prices in mind.

‘Highest so far’

He said the total fertilizer subsidy for the rabi season, including ₹80,000 crore for urea, would be ₹1,38,875 crore and for both the rabi and kharif, the subsidy amount would be ₹2.25 lakh crore. “This is the highest subsidy so far. Last year it was ₹1.65 lakh crore,” Mr. Mandaviya said and added that as commercial prices had doubled due to the Ukraine-Russia conflict and the logistics issues due to pandemic the Centre decided to double the subsidy component too. “Increased prices would have burdened the farmers. We have ensured that there will not be any increase in the fertilizer prices in the next six months,” he said.

Also Read | Reforming the fertilizer sector

Mr. Mandaviya said a bag of Diammonium Phosphate cost ₹1,350 and it would have been cost ₹2,650 without subsidy. On urea, he said, the subsidy was around ₹2,400 per bag as a bag was being sold for about ₹266 instead of the market price, which was ₹2,700.

He added that the Centre had taken up measures to increase production of urea in the country. While the requirement was 350 lakh metric tonnes (LMT), the production in the country was 250 LMT. He said four new plants were coming up and nano urea would also replace the use of urea slowly. Mr. Mandaviya said the country had enough stock of fertilizers for this season and reports about farmers queueing up to buy fertilizers were blown out of proportion.

Also Read | No shortage of fertilisers in the country, says Mandaviya

The Centre said the move would help the farmers. “This will enable smooth availability of all P&K fertilizers to the farmers during rabi 2022-23 at the subsidised / affordable prices and support the agriculture sector. The volatility in the international prices of fertilizers and raw materials has been primarily absorbed by the Union government,” a government release said.