Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday inaugurated a new charitable blood center of the Indian Medical Association in Gorakhpur and highlighted the transformation of healthcare facilities in eastern UP.
During the event, the Chief Minister said encephalitis, once a major health challenge in the region, has been eliminated, while pointing to the expansion of medical colleges, hospitals and emergency healthcare services across the state.
Gorakhpur Gets New Charitable Blood Center
Addressing the inauguration ceremony at Seth Badri Prasad Jaiswal Memorial Hall in Gorakhpur, Yogi Adityanath said modern infrastructure, technology and medicines can strengthen healthcare, but blood cannot be manufactured and can only be made available through voluntary donation.
He said the newly inaugurated IMA charitable blood center would help provide timely blood support to patients across eastern Uttar Pradesh and strengthen the region's healthcare network.
The Chief Minister praised the role of the Indian Medical Association, saying healthcare organizations must extend their expertise beyond professional practice and ensure that medical support reaches people at the grassroots level.
Yogi Highlights Fight Against Encephalitis
Recalling the health challenges faced by eastern Uttar Pradesh years ago, Yogi Adityanath said families once lived under constant fear due to encephalitis outbreaks affecting children.
He stated that the disease, along with other challenges faced by the region, has been brought under control through improved healthcare systems, preventive measures, sanitation initiatives and better medical facilities.
The issue of encephalitis has remained closely associated with Gorakhpur and neighboring districts for decades, where outbreaks had previously affected a large number of children.
From Overcrowded BRD Medical College To Expanded Healthcare Network
The Chief Minister highlighted the transformation of BRD Medical College, Gorakhpur, saying that earlier the hospital faced severe infrastructure challenges, including overcrowding and shortage of basic facilities.
He said that the medical college, which once struggled with limited resources, has now developed into a major healthcare center equipped to handle specialized treatments.
Yogi also pointed towards the expansion of medical education and healthcare infrastructure in Uttar Pradesh. According to him, the state now has 85 medical colleges across 75 districts, with MBBS seats increasing from around 4,600 to more than 13,500. He also mentioned the growth of postgraduate medical seats and expansion of nursing and paramedical education.
Medical Infrastructure Expansion Across Eastern UP
The Chief Minister said medical colleges have been established in several districts including Maharajganj, Kushinagar, Deoria, Siddharthnagar, Basti, Balrampur, Bahraich, Gonda, Ayodhya and Ambedkar Nagar. He also highlighted the establishment of AIIMS Gorakhpur and development of specialized healthcare services in the region. The government is working towards creating centers of excellence in healthcare with support from institutions such as IIT Kanpur and SGPGI Lucknow, he added.
Yogi Raises Doctor Safety Issue, Talks About Changing Image Of UP
During his address, Yogi Adityanath also spoke about the security situation for doctors and medical professionals in Uttar Pradesh. He recalled a period when doctors in some parts of the state faced threats, extortion demands and attacks, forcing medical communities to protest on the streets. He said the situation has changed and Uttar Pradesh is now focusing on healthcare development and the expansion of medical facilities.
Call For More Voluntary Blood Donation
The Chief Minister urged citizens to participate in voluntary blood donation drives, saying that demand for blood often exceeds availability. He encouraged doctors and institutions to use social media platforms for awareness campaigns to promote regular blood donation. He also cautioned against professional blood donors who may pose health risks if proper screening procedures are not followed.
Advanced Facilities At New Blood Center
Before inaugurating the facility, Yogi Adityanath inspected the advanced equipment installed at the charitable blood centre. He reviewed systems related to blood collection, testing and storage and interacted with medical professionals regarding the functioning of the facility.
The center is expected to support patients requiring emergency blood services and strengthen healthcare access in eastern Uttar Pradesh. The new blood center will now become part of Gorakhpur's expanding healthcare infrastructure, with authorities focusing on improving emergency medical support and encouraging voluntary blood donation.
The state government is also continuing its efforts to expand medical education, specialized treatment facilities and healthcare access across Uttar Pradesh.