Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah today addressed the Indian Medical Association’s National Conference – IMA NATCON 2025 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, marking a historic milestone as the IMA reaches its 100th national convention. Addressing doctors, medical professionals and stakeholders from across the country, Shri Shah said that the Modi government is firmly committed to building a strong, inclusive and resilient health ecosystem for Viksit Bharat, in which doctors will play a decisive and central role. Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel and several other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
IMA’s Century of Service: A Legacy of Sacrifice and Commitment
Shri Amit Shah said that completing 100 years is not merely an institutional achievement but a reflection of the IMA’s century-long sacrifice, service, and continuous contribution to the nation’s healthcare system. He said the centenary year should be used to take the story of IMA’s service to every section of society, strengthening the spirit of duty, ethics, and public trust.
He noted that the medical profession has evolved significantly—from Registered Medical Practitioners to highly specialised domains—and institutions like the IMA must adapt to these changes while preserving the core values of service.
Redefining Medical Ethics for the 21st Century: IMA NATCON
The Union Home Minister emphasised that healthcare is fundamentally a service-oriented profession, where a patient often sees a doctor as a form of divinity. He said that ethical frameworks framed a century ago need to be re-examined and redefined to remain relevant in today’s complex healthcare environment.
Shri Shah urged the IMA to constitute a dedicated team to redefine medical ethics and integrate them into medical education. He stressed that ethics cannot be enforced through law alone but must be internalised through education and professional culture. If redefined ethics are made part of the curriculum, he said, it would ensure that future generations of doctors see service as a sacred duty, preserving public trust for centuries to come.
Doctors at the Heart of Viksit Bharat 2047
Shri Amit Shah said Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has placed before the nation the resolve to build a Viksit Bharat by 2047, where India leads the world in every sector. Achieving this vision, he said, requires a healthy population—physically, mentally and emotionally—and doctors will be indispensable in this national mission.
He stated that between 2014 and 2025, the Modi government has built a holistic health ecosystem, beginning with the Swachh Bharat Mission, which addressed sanitation and disease prevention at the grassroots level. This was followed by initiatives such as Fit India, Khelo India, and the global celebration of the International Day of Yoga, which increased yoga adoption by nearly 40 per cent.
Transformational Health Reforms Under the Modi Government
Highlighting major health reforms, Shri Shah said the Ayushman Bharat Mission has brought about a qualitative transformation by providing free treatment up to ₹5 lakh, with several states extending coverage up to ₹15 lakh. He said Mission Indradhanush has laid a strong foundation for a child’s healthy future through universal immunisation.
He informed that:
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₹1.65 lakh crore has been invested in strengthening CHC and PHC infrastructure
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1.81 lakh Ayushman Bharat Health Centres (Ayushman Mandirs) have empowered poor and rural citizens
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GST removal on health insurance has made healthcare more affordable
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Jan Aushadhi Kendras have expanded access to low-cost generic medicines
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Medical seats have increased from 51,000 to nearly 1.30 lakh, significantly boosting the supply of trained doctors
He added that the health budget has risen from ₹37,000 crore in 2013–14 to ₹1.28 lakh crore today, an increase of over 102 per cent, with schemes effectively implemented on the ground.
Measurable Health Outcomes and Disease Control
Shri Amit Shah highlighted concrete outcomes of sustained policy implementation:
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97% reduction in malaria cases, putting India on track to become malaria-free
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Over 90% improvement in kala-azar control
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Dengue mortality reduced to around 1%
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25% decline in maternal mortality rate
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20% increase in institutional deliveries
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Infant mortality rate reduced by half
He said these achievements demonstrate that health reforms have gone beyond announcements to real-world impact.
IMA’s Future Role: Telemedicine, Research and Wellness
Calling for a forward-looking approach, Shri Amit Shah said the IMA must play a more active role in strengthening telemedicine, medical research and optimal utilisation of doctors through video consultations and digital platforms. He asked whether the IMA could propose schemes to promote doctors engaged in research and innovation.
He also urged a shift in focus from illness to wellness, emphasising preventive healthcare, lifestyle guidance, and greater awareness about Ayushman Bharat and generic medicines.
Doctors’ Heroic Role During COVID-19
Paying tribute to doctors, Shri Shah said that during the COVID-19 pandemic, Indian doctors displayed extraordinary courage and dedication, serving patients without regard for their own lives. He described this as India’s greatest human capital, noting that not a single doctor turned away from duty.
He highlighted the IMA’s role during the pandemic in vaccination drives, helplines, blood donation camps, ethical monitoring, and public outreach, calling it a shining example of professional unity and national service.
Conclusion
Concluding his address, Shri Amit Shah said the IMA’s 100-year journey is a matter of pride but not complacency. With changing healthcare needs, advancing technology and rising public expectations, the IMA must redefine its role, ethics and priorities to help India achieve affordable, accessible and quality healthcare. He expressed confidence that under its new leadership, the IMA will continue to strengthen India’s health infrastructure and remain a cornerstone of the nation’s march towards Viksit Bharat 2047.
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Source: PIB
