CM meets Amit Shah, highlights healthcare push and Bastar transformation

Raipur: Chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai met Union home minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Thursday and briefed him on the rapid changes unfolding in Bastar, highlighting how healthcare and basic services are now reaching deep forest villages once considered inaccessible.Sai detailed the ‘mukhyamantri swasth Bastar abhiyan’, launched from Sukma on April 13. He said that in areas where even ambulances could not reach earlier, doctors and health teams are now conducting regular visits, often walking into remote habitations to carry out screenings and provide treatment.More than 21.86 lakh people have been screened within a month under the campaign, with digital health profiles created and serious cases identified for timely referral and free treatment, CM said, adding that the drive targets nearly 36 lakh people across Bastar.Deputy CM Vijay Sharma was present during the meeting, where Sai also informed Shah about the ongoing transition of old security camps into ‘jan suvidha kendras’, aimed at delivering healthcare, education, banking and access to govt schemes at a single point in remote areas.he CM said the ‘Bastar Munne’ campaign is being used to ensure saturation of 31 key welfare schemes, while a new super-speciality hospital in Jagdalpur is expected to reduce the need for patients to travel to Raipur or Bilaspur for advanced treatment.The broader roadmap discussed in the meeting includes road connectivity, education, employment, skill development and investment in Bastar. Shah appreciated the expansion of healthcare and welfare delivery, noting that coordinated efforts between the Centre and state are crucial to ensure last-mile benefits.The meeting comes ahead of Shah’s proposed visit to Bastar on May 18-19, where he is expected to review both security and development initiatives in the region.