Non-governmental organizations have to play a key role in the promotion of rural health care, especially at a time when the State is faced with an increase in the number of various lifestyle disease cases, said Prof P.J.Kurien, Congress(I) chief whip in the Rajya Sabha.
Prof Kurien was inaugurating the free cardiac medical camp held at SVGV Higher Secondary School at Kidangannoor on Sunday.
According to him, Kerala has achieved tremendous progress in the field of healthcare. The State’s infant mortality rate and maternity mortality rate was very low at par with that of various European countries, he said.
Prof Kurien said both the public and private sectors have contributed to the State’s praiseworthy achievements in the field of healthcare.
In Kerala, a majority of childbirth are being reported from hospitals whereas in many other parts of the country the situation is much different due to lack of proper health awareness and facility, he said.
Still- Kerala has to go much ahead in the field of rural healthcare, especially cardiac care and stress should be given in addressing the healthcare needs of the rural poor, the MP said.
The camp was jointly organised by Janus Initiative, a charitable non-governmental organisation chaired by renowned cardio-thoracic surgeon, Pankaj Kumar Srivastava, St Gregorios Cardio-Vascular Centre at Parumala headed by Dr K.M.cherian, world renowned cardiac surgeon and Sree Ramakrishna Mission.
Mathew Thomas, consultant physician, Geevarghese Mathew, consultant cardiac surgeon, Leena Thomas, consultant cardiologist, Vinay Babu Kurien, physician, along with Dr Srivastava and Dr Alex Paul, led the free medical camp.
Mr K.Sivadasan Nair, MLA, presided the function. Dr Alex Paul, Medical Superintendent at St Gregorios Mission Hospital, Parumala, delivered the keynote address.
Swami Golokananda, SRK Ashram president, Swami Vijayabhaskarananda, Kidangannur Sree Vijayananda Ashram president, K. Ajayakumar, District Panchayat member and Mr Amir Jan, chief executive officer of Diary Farmers’ Welfare Fund Board, also spoke.
A seminar on rural healthcare was also held as part of the camp. The paper presented by Mr V.A. Antony of Lakeshore Hospital, Ernakulam, on `Role of para-medical professionals in improving rural healthcare in India’ was tipped for the Best Paper Award instituted by Janus Initiative. The MLA presented the award comprising a cash prize of Rs 5,001 and citation to Mr Antony on the occasion.
