President Droupadi Murmu gives India its healthcare mission

 

 

 

 

 

President of India Droupadi Murmu on Friday asked healthcare sector of the country to come forward and work towards making India a leading power in medical research. Murmu made this statement as the chief guest of a function organised to mark the Platinum Jubilee of Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Nagpur on Friday. “Medical facilities should be made so affordable here that people from all over the world can come to India to avail cheap medical services,” Murmu said. Recalling the Covid-19 pandemic time, President said, “It was the hard work of our doctors, nurses and the medical staff which ensured India to recover from Covid-19 pandemic and just because of their efforts, India could vaccinate such a huge population speedily against the pandemic.” The President said that quality health services were a fundamental requirement for the progress of any society and country. She added that it was the collective responsibility of the Government and healthcare sector to ensure affordable and reliable healthcare services to every citizen. Murmu said that mental health problems were on the rise among people, including students, due to increasing pressure for achieving excellence in this era of competition.

 

Pointing out the shortage of doctors in the universal healthcare system, the President said, “Indian doctors are in demand worldwide. We are producing the best practising doctors who are serving in every corner of this world.” She said, the country had recently seen a good increase in the number of medical colleges as well as MBBS and post graduate seats. This development would help in providing proper healthcare facilities to people, she said. The President appreciated the contribution of Prakash Amte in improving healthcare facilities in remote villages of Gadchiroli district. Differences in health services is also a problem in the country and the Central Government is addressing it by opening medical colleges in districts, which will reduce regional imbalance and the rural-urban divide, she added. In presence of the President of India, four distinguished personalities -- Sir Colonel Dr Krishnaji Vishnu Kukday, Dr Shakuntala Gokhale, Dr B J Subhedar and Dr Pramod Giri -- who have contributed to the development of the GMCH were felicitated by the Governor of Maharashtra Ramesh Bais on this occasion.

 

Adv Dinkar Kukday, grandson of Sir Col Dr K V Kukday received the honour, while Ravi Limaye, a close relative of Dr Shakuntala Gokhale, received the award. Murmu appreciated the efforts of all ex-students of GMCH who contributed for development of the college. The event commenced with lighting of traditional lamp at the hands of the President. Murmu also inaugurated the state-of-the-art lecture hall of GMCH. A special postal cover of GMCH was also released during the event. President also released a Coffee Table Book and a souvenir during the occasion. Along with the Governor of Maharashtra, Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport; Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister; Hasan Mushrif, Minister of Medical Education; and Dr Raj Gajbhiye, Dean, GMCH, were present as special guests on this occasion. A military band played patriotic songs during the programme. The event concluded with National Anthem. A large number of dignitaries, including ex-students of GMCH, participated in the celebration.