Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday said that owing to the relentless efforts of the double-engine government, the scourge of encephalitis has been effectively curtailed and eradicated from the eastern UP within a span of six to seven years.

While the formal declaration of this remarkable achievement is yet to be made, he asserted that the successful containment of encephalitis has emerged as a beacon of hope and a potential model for replication across the nation and beyond.

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Addressing a gathering convened to commemorate the foundation stone laying ceremony for the new administrative building dedicated to MBBS students at BRD Medical College to be built at the cost of Rs 60 crore, along with the inauguration of a cutting-edge solar rooftop plant on the medical college premises, the Chief Minister lauded the pivotal role of BRD Medical College in Gorakhpur “as the epicentre of this triumph against encephalitis, with the health department serving as the linchpin in this endeavour.”

Highlighting the profound impact of this milestone in saving the lives of innocent children, he said that previously encephalitis claimed 1,200 to 1,500 lives annually. Moreover, the CM underscored the efficient reallocation of manpower and resources, previously dedicated to combating encephalitis, towards delivering high-quality healthcare services to all segments of society.

Reflecting on the journey, he remarked, “From 1977-78 until 2017, the issue of encephalitis was tragically overlooked by successive administrations. However, upon assuming office in 2017, I resolved to confront this crisis head-on and charted out a course for its eradication.”

Underlining the multifaceted approach adopted, he highlighted the pivotal role of community engagement, citing the impactful cleanliness campaign conducted among the Kushinagar Musahars. “This comprehensive initiative encompassed educational endeavours on hygiene practices and the provision of essential resources like soap, underscoring the holistic approach adopted towards disease prevention and public health promotion,” he pointed out, adding that he even had to face media trial for encouraging people to use soap. He, however, said that during the coronavirus pandemic, people realised the importance of soap and sanitation.

CM Yogi said that cleanliness is the solution to many diseases, stressing that when attention was focused on cleanliness in mission mode, encephalitis was eradicated from the state.

CM Yogi also talked about the struggle of the BRD Medical College in the past, which despite serving as the sole healthcare centre of eastern Uttar Pradesh, struggled with lack of resources and staff, including doctors, paramedics, nursing staff and the manpower required for other tasks.

“In 1998-99, the Medical Council of India (MCI) once again revoked accreditation to the BRD Medical College. Thereafter, I, along with the then Health Minister, went to Delhi, submitted an affidavit, and pledged to fulfil the necessary requirements,” Yogi said, underscoring the importance of the medical college for people of eastern Uttar Pradesh.

Discussing the changes that have taken place in UP after 2017, he said that now a Pediatrics Institute has been started at the medical college. “The pediatric ward is well-equipped and has undergone infrastructure development. A Regional Medical Research Centre has also become functional on the same campus, and a super-specialty block has been constructed. Initially, there was a shortage of seats, and accreditation was in crisis. However, now the government is providing infrastructure for increased seats”, he informed.

The Chief Minister stated that the BRD Medical College and AIIMS are maintaining parallel quality standards today, calling for mutual exchange of knowledge between the two institutions.

CM Yogi exhorted doctors and medical students to embrace diligence and fortitude, particularly in the face of escalating workloads and challenging circumstances. Each patient, he noted, arrives with a unique tapestry of personal history, familial background, and socio-economic context. By meticulously understanding and documenting these intricacies, he asserted, one can catalyse revolutionary breakthroughs in the medical realm.

Highlighting the pivotal role of BRD Medical College as a lifeline for patients not only from eastern Uttar Pradesh but also from Bihar and the Terai region of Nepal, the Chief Minister underscored the importance of studying and comprehending the diverse backgrounds of these patients.

Encouraging doctors to embrace innovation and research, he championed Uttar Pradesh’s transition towards clean and sustainable energy. He reminisced on the visionary mantra articulated by PM Modi in 2017, which galvanised the state government to install 16 lakh streetlights at zero cost, thus heralding significant strides in energy conservation and emission reduction.

CM Yogi further elaborated on the state’s policy of incentivising surplus electricity generated through solar panels, a testament to its commitment to renewable energy. Commending the BRD Medical College for spearheading the installation of rooftop solar plants, he echoed PM Modi’s ambitious vision to propel the nation towards a future powered entirely by clean and green energy by 2070.

Reflecting on the transformative trajectory of Uttar Pradesh, he heralded the forthcoming Ground Breaking Ceremony on February 19, which marks the initiation of investment projects worth Rs 10 lakh crore, positioning the state as a trailblazer in economic resurgence.

Additionally, he revealed the forthcoming construction of a ground-plus-five-floor administrative building at the BRD Medical College, costing Rs 60 crore, aimed at accommodating the increased capacity of 50 seats for undergraduate MBBS students. Furthermore, the inauguration of the 1 MW capacity solar rooftop plant, at a cost of Rs 5 crore, signifies a substantial milestone in energy efficiency, expected to yield significant savings of Rs 72 lakh annually in the medical college’s electricity expenditure.