Inaugurating a CT and MRI Unit at Medica Group of Hospital here, Das said about 42 per cent population of mineral-rich Jharkhand live below poverty line and the conditions of medical facilities available in rural pockets was apathetic even after 65 years of Independence.
Mineral-abundant Jharkhand is rich but its people are poor, he regretted, adding that the priority of his government was to ensure that medical facility should reach to poorest of the state in next five years time.
"Whether a Chief Minister, industrialist or best doctor, whatever we are today, it is because of the society," he said, adding that "it is our responsibility to return to the society our services."
Hailing the research and inventions in the field of medical sciences, Das, however, said that people's lust for money without taking care of themselves in this post-globalisation era was responsible for their ill health.