UP healthcare revamp: Ayushman Bharat, STEMI care & private hospitals transform state’s medical landscape | Lucknow News

LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh, home to over 25 crore people, has rapidly expanded its healthcare infrastructure and service delivery in recent years to meet its vast and complex needs.

Vivek Chauhan

traces state’s major initiatives to improve disease control, maternal health, medical education innovation, and the promotion of traditional medicineIn recent years, Uttar Pradesh has embarked on a transformative journey to revamp its healthcare landscape, addressing the needs of its vast population of over 25 crore people. This comprehensive overhaul spans across various facets of healthcare, from disease control and maternal health to medical education and integration of traditional medicine.The state govt has been making efforts to improve diagnostic services, controlling vector-borne diseases, and promoting maternal and child health.Furthermore, the integration of AYUSH systems into modern healthcare, the expansion of medical education infrastructure, and the collaboration with Unicef underscore the govt’s commitment to holistic health improvement.AYUSHMAN BHARAT & AFFORDABLE HEALTHCAREUttar Pradesh has emerged as a national leader in expanding universal healthcare coverage under the Ayushman Bharat programme. By June 2025, the state had issued 5.34 crore Ayushman Cards under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana and the Mukhyamantri Jan Aarogya Abhiyan — the highest number among all Indian states. Of these beneficiaries, 70.36 lakh people have received cashless treatment for various conditions, from high-cost surgeries to chronic illnesses.The network of 22,681 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs regularly organizes weekly health camps offering specialist consultations and screenings within communities. Supporting this effort is a vast network of 3,544 Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Kendras — the largest in the country — providing affordable generic medicines and reducing out-of-pocket expenses for low-income families.STRENGTHENING EMERGENCY SERVICESUP’s emergency healthcare system has been significantly reinforced through an extensive ambulance network. The state operates 2,200 ‘108’ ambulances for accidents and critical care transport, and additional ‘102’ services which cater to pregnant women, new mothers, and infants.Moreover, 375 Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances have been deployed for patients requiring immediate and specialized care during transit. The National Mobile Medical Unit Service runs 170 mobile medical units across 54 districts, delivering healthcare to rural and remote populations.Since Feb 2019, these mobile units have served 1.68 crore patients, making emergency and primary medical care more accessible and efficient.EXPANDING DIAGNOSTIC SERVICESProviding free dialysis services in all 75 districts marks a major step forward for patients suffering from chronic kidney disease, saving thousands from crippling medical expenses.Additionally, 74 functional CT scan centres now offer quality diagnostic imaging crucial for accurate disease detection. Quality improvement has also been a top priority. Uttar Pradesh has achieved National Quality Assurance certification for 1,153 medical units, reflecting adherence to national standards in patient care, hygiene, and clinical protocols.MATERNAL & CHILD HEALTHMaternal and child health remains central to UP’s public health strategy. Under the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan, pregnant women receive regular checkups, nutritional counselling, and essential medicines. In 2024-25, the Janani Suraksha Yojana benefited 24 lakh mothers, while nearly 48 lakh beneficiaries received services through the Janani Shishu Suraksha Programme. Child health programmes have reached 10,568 infants with targeted treatments, contributing to lower infant mortality and improved early childhood nutrition.AYUSH: INTEGRATING TRADITIONAL & MODERNThe state has made notable investments in traditional medicine under AYUSH. On July 1, 2025, the President of India inaugurated the Mahayogi Guru Gorakhnath AYUSH Mahavidyalaya in Gorakhpur, marking a key milestone. The state currently has 216 Ayurvedic, 154 Homoeopathic, and 25 Unani hospitals, with several new facilities under construction. There are 1,034 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and 16 integrated AYUSH hospitals with 50 beds each.In the medical education sector, UP runs 8 Ayurvedic, 2 Unani, and 9 Homoeopathic colleges. Admission capacity has risen from 322 to 588 seats for AYUSH medical courses in 2024-25. New institutions such as the Ayodhya Rajkiya Ayurvedic Medical College and Bareilly Unani College are now functional, with additional projects underway in Varanasi and Jaunpur.promoting wellness with health drivesThe innovative ‘One District, One Medical College’ policy aims to ensure that every district in Uttar Pradesh houses a full-fledged medical college, decentralizing healthcare education and services. Currently, 80 medical colleges are operational, equipped with modern laboratories, hostels, and specialty departments. In Sept 2021, under the public-private partnership (PPP) model, the state announced medical colleges for 16 underserved districts, including Baghpat, Ballia, Bhadohi, Chitrakoot, Hamirpur, Hathras, Kasganj, Maharajganj, Mahoba, Mainpuri, Mau, Rampur, Sambhal, and Sant Kabir Nagar. These new colleges aim to bridge the urban-rural healthcare divide.BUILDING SKILLED WORKFORCERecognizing that skilled human resources are the backbone of healthcare delivery, UP has expanded training under Mission Niramay. Nursing and paramedical courses are now offered in 300 institutions, ensuring a steady supply of trained professionals for both urban and rural healthcare needs.STEMI CARE UP: LIFELINE FOR HEART PATIENTSThe HRIDAY SETU (STEMI Care UP) programme is transforming heart attack management by connecting district hospitals with major cardiac centres, including King George’s Medical University (KGMU), Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences (RMLIMS), Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGI), and Prayagraj Medical College.Launched at KGMU in March 2025, the initiative enables real-time expert guidance for heart attack patients in remote areas. RMLIMS joined in May, SGPGI in June, and Prayagraj in Aug.Private sector establishments driving growthPrivate healthcare investment is rapidly transforming UP’s medical landscape, with major hospital chains committing billions to develop advanced tertiary and quaternary care facilities. This expansion is positioning Lucknow and other key cities as regional healthcare hubs.Max Healthcare Institute (MHIL) leads with a `2,500 crore investment in Lucknow, starting with Dec 2023 acquisition of the 550-bed Sahara Hospital for `940 crore, now Max Super Speciality Hospital. The next phase includes a new 500-bed facility at Shaheed Path with robotics, radiation oncology, and multi-organ transplant services, expected to generate over 10,000 jobs.Apollo Hospitals is also expanding, investing `300 crore in two Apollo Medics projects — a 220-bed hospital in Lucknow and a 400-bed facility in Varanasi, at a cost of `189 crore. These are part of Apollo’s larger `6,100 crore expansion across India.Regency Healthcare, backed by a `445 crore private equity infusion, is developing a 250-bed hospital in Gorakhpur and expanding its Kanpur unit with a 305-bed Tower-III, both opening in 2025. A 300-bed hospital in Varanasi is planned by 2028.These developments, along with established players like the 1,000-bed Medanta Hospital and the 300-bed Chandan Hospital in Lucknow, mark a major shift in access to advanced healthcare across state and neighbouring regions.Lucknow’s transformation in healthcare infrastructureDriven by substantial public investment and growing participation from the private sector. The combined efforts are creating a comprehensive medical ecosystem with new super-specialty hospitals, upgraded infrastructure, and expanded opportunities for research and training in the city.King George’s Medical University (KGMU) is implementing projects worth `941 crore, including a Centre for Orthopaedic Super Specialty, a cardiology wing, and a `296 crore, 500-bed extension to the trauma centre, increasing its capacity to 650 beds. A new `250 crore general surgery building will add 300 beds and facilities for robotic surgery and hybrid operation theaters.At RMLIMS, upgrades include a 4D CT simulation machine and an advanced neuroscience centre/Gamma knife to enhance oncology and neurology services. Administrative reforms involve the introduction of prepaid cash cards, stocking of 250 essential medicines in wards, recruitment of 166 doctors, and a proposal to add 86 postgraduate seats. Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS) continues to strengthen tertiary care and research through its Central Research Facility and digital Hospital Information System (HIS).Kalyan Singh Super Specialty Cancer Institute (KSSCI) is expanding toward a 1,250-bed capacity, adding 3D Digital Mammography and collaborating with RMLIMS through an MoU to improve integrated care.