Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], September 8 (ANI): Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, on Monday, while inaugurating a newly constructed government hospital in the Saidapet area of Chennai, claimed that due to the countless health sector schemes implemented during Kalaignar's rule, Tamil Nadu, especially Chennai, is proudly called the 'Medical Capital of India today.

The government hospital built at a cost of 28.75 crore with state-of-the-art medical equipment and facilities, comprising a ground floor and six additional floors, has now been opened for public use.

Deputy CM said that this hospital was established to provide high-quality, advanced medical services not only to the people of Saidapet but also to those living in the surrounding areas.

Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, in his speech, said, 'This 120-bed hospital will be a great benefit not only to the people of Saidapet but also to those in the neighbouring areas. As our Chief Minister always says, Education and Healthcare are the two eyes of the Dravidian Model government. During Kalaignar's rule, countless health sector schemes were implemented. It is because of those schemes that today Tamil Nadu - especially Chennai - is proudly called the 'Medical Capital of India.'

'The Chief Minister has launched the 'Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam' (Healthcare at Your Doorstep) scheme so that medical services reach the people directly. Our government has been receiving awards and appreciation from many quarters. Recently, Tamil Nadu received an award from the United Nations for effectively implementing the 'Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam' scheme', the Deputy CM added.

Udhayanidhi Stalin said, 'Tamil Nadu continues to guide the entire country in the field of healthcare. Our government is working in such a way that Tamil Nadu remains Number One in the medical sector, always.'

On the occasion, Minister Ma. Subramanian said, 'Saidapet is historically significant, it was the constituency from which Kalaignar contested and won the elections of 1967 and 1971. As Chief Minister and as Mayor of Chennai, he undertook many development works for Saidapet. In fact, in the Saidapet by-election, our present Chief Minister served as the election committee head.'

'In January 2018, when Udhayanidhi Stalin was still a top star in the film industry, we requested on this very stage that he should enter politics and contribute to public life. It was on that stage that he announced his decision to enter full-time politics - and today he has risen to the position of Deputy Chief Minister', Minister Subramanian added.

The event was attended by Minister for Municipal Administration K. N. Nehru, Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ma. Subramanian, Chennai Deputy Mayor M. Mahesh Kumar, MLAs Aravind Ramesh, Ganapathi, Prabhakar Raja, Thayagam Kavi, Health and Family Welfare Department Principal Secretary Senthilkumar, Director of Medical and Rural Health Services Dr. Chitra, and senior government officials. (ANI)