The WHO recommended doctor to population ratio is 1:1000 and India has exceeded this mandate with an impressive 1:900 doc-to-population ratio. This marks the country’s leap in the healthcare sector.
Bhubaneswar Kalita, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare, hailed India’s progressive journey that looks at illness to wellness from a completely new prism and highlighted that “investing in health and hygiene is not just a moral imperative, it is an economic necessity.”
In acknowledgement of India's remarkable evolution in the realm of health and hygiene, Kalita addressed ASSOCHAM's second Awareness Summit on Illness to Wellness. "Beyond being just buzzwords, health and hygiene are the pillars upon which prosperous societies are built. The journey has been arduous yet inspiring. From battling infectious diseases to embracing preventive healthcare, the nation has made significant strides. Over the past decade we have witnessed reduction in maternal mortality rate, infant mortality rate and children under 5 mortality rates," he remarked.
Kalita believes that these achievements underscore the effectiveness of robust healthcare initiatives and the importance of prioritising hygiene practices. The various initiatives and programmes of the government has transformed the society into a health conscious one.
"As we strive for universal health coverage, it is imperative to empower communities with knowledge and resources to safeguard their wellbeing. The government has increased the number of medical colleges and we will have one medical college in every district and shortage of doctors in rural areas will soon be a thing of the past,"
Bhubaneswar Kalita, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare
Dr Ashok Seth, Chairman at Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, Delhi, spoke about wellness in his keynote address and said “A microbe and the Covid pandemic showed humankind the limits of its power. The understanding about working together, of mental health and empowerment is the silver lining leading us to talk about wellness with greater urgency. Science made us live in the 20th century and we must now combine science with spirituality as we go into the 21st century.”
Dr Anil Agarwal, Medical Director, Govind Ballabh Pant Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education Research, Government of NCT of Delhi, mentioned the importance of public awareness as a prerequisite to the adoption of healthy practices.
He also added in his address that it is equally important to disseminate the right information.
Dr Agarwal emphasized that early detection is the cornerstone of treatment and seeking early medical intervention is advisable.
He further added “The focus should be on silent killers and vulnerable groups in raising public awareness. Reaching out to school children is a good approach as the younger you start the more ingrained will the awareness be. Imparting basic life-saving skills to students in schools and colleges will be very effective in combating sudden death.”
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Dr. Vineesha V/MSM)
