Union Health Minister Masukh Mandaviya shared PM Modi’s vision of a holistic approach in the healthcare sector on Thursday and appreciated the achievements in medical education and healthcare while addressing the Sushruta Health Awards organised by ITV Network. He said that the government has increased the number of MBBS and PG seats in the country and has also improved the doctor-patient ratio to meet the WHO standard.
Mandaviya said that in 2014, there were 54,000 MBBS seats, which have now increased to 1,06,000. Similarly, PG seats have increased from 31,185 to 70,674. The government’s goal is to make both UG and PG seats equal and to increase the availability of doctors in the country.
He also said that many doctors have appreciated his efforts and that he has achieved the WHO-recommended ratio of one doctor for every thousand people. However, he said that this is not enough and that India’s doctors have made their mark in the world, especially during the COVID crisis.
He said that during the pandemic, he used to talk to the health ministers of the world, and they were amazed by the dedication and professionalism of India’s doctors and nurses, who worked tirelessly despite the risk of infection. He said that India has a decided Maria health service, where all the nurses and paramedics come on top auto. He also paid tribute to the doctors who sacrificed their lives while serving the nation.
Speaking about India’s health model He said that it is not only to fulfil its own requirements but also to serve the world. He also said that the government has increased the facilities for tertiary care in the country by constructing 22 AIIMS and one medical college in every district which provides with accessibility of heath to everyone.
Citing an example, He compared India’s healthcare scheme with that of the US. He said that 15 years ago, former US President Barack Obama gave health security to 10 crore people, and the scheme became popular in the world by the name of Obama. But it is now Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who came from a poor family and understood the pain of the poor, gave a guarantee of 5 lakh to 12 crore families, i.e., 60 crore people, under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana. This is not a small thing and that it is the best example of how the scheme came out of the poor’s suffering.
He also shared his own experience of coming from a rural background and studying at a government school and said that he has seen poverty and the condition of the poor, who face serious diseases and cannot afford treatment. There may be a class in the country for which five lakh is not a big amount, but for the people who earn and eat during the day, it is a matter of life and death. Many poor families have lost their family members due to a lack of medical facilities.
He said that Modi ji’s mantra is that time changes, and we also need to change with the changing times. We have to find our shortcomings and try for their solution. He said that during the time of our health sector, we saw the shortcomings of the world, and India’s co-remedy was praised. India has the potential to lead the world in healthcare and that we have to work together to achieve this.During the World Economic Forum last year in January, the leader of the Indian delegation had a significant meeting with Bill Gates, acknowledging India’s achievements in management and vaccination efforts. Bill Gates, recognised globally for his impact, commended India’s ability to administer 220 crore vaccine doses, with 11 days surpassing one crore vaccinations. The intricate logistics involved in the vaccination process, from cold chain maintenance to regional and state depots, were monitored diligently through a digital platform. The Modi government’s mission-mode approach ensured timely distribution, addressing challenges like the availability of syringes and needles. The commitment to vaccination was evident, with ministers actively involved and monitoring the entire process, reflecting India’s proactive stance in combating the pandemic, said Mandaviya.
The Health Minister, Mansukh Mandaviya, commended ITV Network for christening the health awards as “Shushruta Awards,” a tribute to the illustrious history of Indian medical science. Shushruta, an eminent ancient Indian surgeon, is credited with pioneering advancements in plastic and cosmetic surgery. His contributions include the discovery of approximately 300 surgical techniques and 125 surgical instruments. Renowned for his expertise, Shushruta authored the Sushruta Samhita, a revered treatise on medicine that holds a prominent place in Ayurveda, underscoring its significance in the ancient healing tradition.
