The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated Sevashram Hospital at Bharuch and SardarPatel Hospital and Heart Institute at Ankleshwar, Gujarat today (October 23, 2016).

Speaking at the Sardar Patel Hospital and Heart Institute, the President said that it was indeed a matter of great pleasure for him to be inaugurating the multi speciality Sardar Patel Hospital and Heart Institute. He said that today, he had the opportunity to visit both sides of the Narmada river. In Bharuch, he had visited the Sevashram Hospital, which is a living testimony to Gandhiji's ideology of service to mankind.

The President said that both Sevasharam Hospital and the Sardar Patel Hospital are driven by similar ethos,a desire to serve humanity and take care of the health of people. He commended all those associated with both the hospitals.

The President said that it is essential that people of the region should have access to modern health care system. There is a need for good health, education and livelihood for all. Only then will our country occupy its rightful place in the comity of nations. The idea of equitable and accessible healthcare is integral to Gandhian vision and the function was a celebration of contributing to this vision. He thanked Shri Ahmed Patel and other office bearers of the Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel Rotary General Hospital Trust for inviting him on the occasion.

Later in the day, the President graced a function at Bapu Gujarat Knowledge Village and Samarpan Education and Research Campus.

This release issued 1900 hrs.