Enhance quality of rural healthcare: Governor

Governor K. Rosaiah on Monday called upon medical professionals to come forward to take quality healthcare to the people in rural areas at an affordable cost.

Noting that 70 per cent of the country’s private healthcare infrastructure was concentrated mostly in cities, the Governor said it was necessary to enhance quality rural healthcare.

Inaugurating the Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Centre for Oncology and Linear Acceleration at Meenakshi Hospital at Thanjavur, Mr. Rosaiah said it was a matter of pride that India, especially Tamil Nadu, was a health destination known for its cost-effective service.

Citing a 2012 report of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Mr. Rosaiah said India had seven doctors and 11 nurses per 10,000 population.

“We require more and more noble-minded and committed medical professionals to come forward to take quality healthcare to the people in rural areas at an affordable cost”.

The medical fraternity, non-governmental organisations, and voluntary organisations should join hands to promote health and hygiene among people, especially in rural areas, he said.

It was time the medical fraternity and non-governmental organisations joined hands to create awareness among people on the causes, prevention and detection of cancer at an early stage.

Organising cancer detection and screening camps covering villages and sensitizing people in rural areas was necessary, he said.

Hospital chairman Dr. Gurushankar, and Joint Managing Director C. Kamini were present.