Concerned over the spurt in dengue and chikungunya cases, President Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday urged young doctors to strive to overcome the deficiencies in the healthcare system so that such vector-borne diseases become a thing of the past.
Noting that the ratio of doctors in the country is far less in comparison to international standards, especially in the rural areas, Mr. Mukherjee said that the cooperation of young doctors will help the government build better health infrastructure.
Recalling his years of growing up in his native West Bengal, Mr. Mukherjee, while speaking at the centenary celebrations and convocation of Lady Hardinge Medical College, said he witnessed villages falling prey to epidemics like cholera, small pox, tuberculosis and plague.
“Invariably I used to see ads in railway stations and in every post office issued by the public health department reading: Be careful of mosquitoes — mosquitoes are the death symbol. It was so prevalent,” he said.
“Of course a new situation has emerged. Old diseases are no longer prevailing. Due care has been taken to remove them from society. Medical research and science has made substantial contribution. But at the same time, we have to face new problems. I request you (young doctors) to always keep in mind certain basic facts — our deficiencies. It is on your young shoulders to substantially meet that deficiency,” Mr. Mukherjee said.
‘More doctors needed’
The President said India has one doctor per 1,700 people against international standard ratio of one doctor per 1,000 and the situation is more alarming in rural areas where the shortage of surgeons is as high as 83.4 per cent.
He urged the young doctors to regularly focus on medical facilities away from the cities, in the smaller towns and villages.
Talking about the shortage of doctors in rural areas, Mr. Mukherjee said the shortage of obstetricians and gynaecologists is 76.3 per cent, paediatricians 82.1 per cent and general physicians 83 per cent at the level of the Community Health Centres (CHCs).
“The overall shortage translates to 81.2 per cent as of the year 2015,” he said.
Asking doctors to be consistently sensitive and empathetic towards the patients, the President said it is this attitude that should always guide them, before the drugs and medicines prescribed by them begin to give their required effect.
“While clinical detachment is certainly required, this detachment should not lead to taking monetary advantage of a patient and his family who have entrusted their lives in the doctors’ hands with full faith.” — PTI