Last 9 years have made India a cost-effective medical destination: Govt

Addressing the inaugural session of the 42nd Annual Conference of the National Medicos Organization (NMO) organized by the NMO at AIIMS Kalyani, West Bengal as the Chief Guest, the Minister said that earlier India was hardly known for any preventive healthcare, but today India is identified as a country. Vaccination hub of the world.

He said that medico organizations can collaborate with the government to ensure last mile healthcare.

Jitendra Singh said that today we can clearly see that patients from many other countries including Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and even European countries are coming to major hospitals including government hospitals in India for treatment.

He said that they all have gone back satisfied as the treatment provided to them is world class as India has all the medical facilities which are available anywhere in the world and at very affordable cost.

Jitendra Singh said that his generation belongs to that generation of medicos, who have seen the infection happening in India. The minister recalled that when he entered medical school, his previous generation had grown up in the pre-antibiotic era. Communicable diseases were more or less conquered with the advent of antibiotics. Then new lifestyle diseases started becoming more prominent, be it diabetes, heart attack, cholesterol along with increase in the life span of the average Indian. But he said, diseases of old age have also been included in the diseases that India is facing.

The minister said that the number of old people is increasing in the country. The number of pensioners is more than the serving employees. Due to this, diseases of increasing age are also increasing.

Another major challenge the country is facing today is diseases of old age affecting the middle and young age groups. The Minister said that it is pertinent that we address these metabolic disorders as India is moving forward rapidly under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and therefore we have to protect the potential and energy of our youth. In such a situation, the role of organizations like NMO becomes important. Lifestyle diseases have social, cultural factors, they are also related to food habits and lifestyle. So because of this we cannot leave it to the doctors only, everyone has to contribute. Indians have a mixed lifestyle as we are still developing and trying to modernize, it is an added challenge culturally, socially and personally. He said that in this light also cooperation with organizations like NMO assumes importance.

Talking about the theme of today’s conference ‘Our Health, Our Nature, Our Culture’, Jitendra Singh said that it is in line with the need of 21st century India. He said that the Prime Minister has given us the mantra ‘Life’ for the environment. Following this vision in the last 9 years under the leadership of the Prime Minister, healthcare has been given top priority by the government.

He said that during the previous governments the health budget used to be a very small part of the Union budget. With Ayushman Bharat, the first of its kind health insurance scheme in the world, India has moved from a regional and fragmented approach to healthcare delivery to a comprehensive need-based healthcare service. Further revival of the healthcare system has also been initiated through the celebration of International Day of Yoga, integrating traditional medicines with allopathy. 2023 is celebrated as the International Year of Millets with a focus on nutrient-rich millets. In this episode, India has also given the concept of wellness to the world. He said that it is not only prevention of disease but also promotion of health and wellness, so that citizens can contribute to nation building with utmost energy and well-being.

The Minister said that another important aspect is the integrated healthcare where there is a need for integration of Ayurveda and Yoga with modern medical practices. Over the years, the government has made a conscious effort to revive our traditional knowledge. In this regard, CSIR has set up a Traditional Knowledge Digital Library, where everyone has access, not just patent holders, so that we have a system of health care that combines our traditional knowledge with the most modern discoveries and inventions. Have the optimum mix of knowledge.

Through Mission COVID Suraksha, Jitendra Singh asserted that the government with the help of like-minded organizations like NMOs will successfully carry out the vaccination drive and even provide indigenously developed vaccines to more than 50 other countries. reached the last mile. As a result, India has been praised globally by the international community for its leadership at the highest level and approach to manage the pandemic.