Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today said that providing the best health facility to the soldiers of the country has been the topmost priority of the government. He said that the soldiers serve the nation day and night, in extreme weather conditions and in every situation. Mr Singh made these remarks while addressing the Army Medical Corps Raising Day in New Delhi.

The Minister also stressed the development of facilities like Research and Referral Hospital in other parts of the country as well. He said that premier institutions like this should be present in every corner of the country so that the forces can have access to better medical facilities everywhere.

He added that the Military Nursing Service nurses, who are the bedrock of Medical Forces, were not given the status of ex-servicemen after retirement. The Minister noted that the government has taken the decision to give them status as ex-servicemen.