BS RAWAT
NEW DELHI : The Bharatiya Janata Party on April 8, 2019, made a string of promises, including opening of 1.5 lakh health and welfare centers across the country as also 75 new medical colleges and PG medical colleges.

The party also promised to provide telemedicine and diagnostic laboratory facilities at Health and Wellness Centers by 2022, if it comes back to power.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the election manifesto, titled 'Sankalpit Bharat, Sashakt Bharat' (Determined India, Empowered India), in New Delhi on April 8, 2019.

In the manifesto, the BJP also resolved to ensure full immunization coverage for all children and pregnant women by 2022.

Health assurance to all people was one of the key campaign pledges which helped the BJP win the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

Till April 3, 2019 close to three million beneficiaries received their cards and 1.8 million beneficiaries availed of services under the Centre’s Ayushman Bharat scheme in India since its launch on September 23, 2018.