Centre working holistically in healthcare: Union Health Minister

Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Health Minister, stated on Monday that the Central Government is working holistically in the health sector, with an emphasis on preventative healthcare. The Health Minister was addressing the crowd during the opening of Lady Hardinge Medical College’s Outpatient Department (OPD) and Inpatient Department (IPD) blocks (LHMC).

Speaking on the occasion, the Health Minister said, “Whose responsibility is it to ensure health facilities for the people? State governments, the federal government, and the health-care workforce… We are all stakeholders. It is the demand of time to make health accessible and affordable. “

According to the Union Health Minister, Jan Bhagidari is important for the implementation of any action plan, programme, or strategy devised by the Government of India.

“We need to make the health accessible, affordable and patient-friendly. The patient only comes for treatment in the hospital, not to fight. We should always keep in heart the feeling of the nation first. We should think that as a student, how can I serve my country. Our ways can be different, but, our goal is the same – Nation First. If we will work with this vision, this new OPD/IPD building will be worshipped like a temple,” he added.

Mandaviya said that the country has moved away from a token to a total approach.

“Today, under the leadership of our respected Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the goal of the Central Government is to work holistically in the health sector and also to emphasize on preventive caregiving priority to modern treatment facilities. Along with reducing the cost of treatment of the poor, efforts are also being made to increase the number of doctors rapidly,” he said.

Vision Of India’s Health Infrastructure

The Health Minister said that the country has to work together with a vision of how India’s Health Infrastructure will be when we will complete 100 years of independence.

“We need to think holistically and make the roadmap for the long-term. This year, when we are celebrating Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, we need to work together with a vision of how India’s Health Infrastructure will be when we will complete 100 years of independence,” Mandaviya said.

He further said that states play a very crucial role in the implementation of any programme made by the Centre.

“During the latest 3-days Chintan Shivir, held at Kevadia, Gujarat, all State Health Ministers shared their best practices and had a very fruitful discussion about how can we make it universal,” he added

Mandaviya said that during Chintan Shivir all health ministers across the country and the Union Health Ministry discussed the roadmap of the health sector for the next 25 years.

“All states are implementing one or the other best practice – how can it be implemented universally – it was discussed extensively and on the basis of that a roadmap of the health sector will be drafted for the next 25 years,” he added.

Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar said, “I am fully confident that new OPD and IPD block will be helpful in providing affordable and best healthcare services to patients.”

Dr Ram Chander, Director Professor of Lady Hardinge Medical College (LHMC), said that the hospital will now also have OPD facilities, medicines, investigations and consultations on Sunday.

“There will be a patient-friendly environment under one roof all clinical departments will be started, and we will also have OPD facilities, medicines, investigations and consultations on Sunday,” said Dr Chander.

He further said that the Kalawati saran Institute of Medical Sciences for Children which is the only Central Government Children’s hospital will soon have more than 1000 beds.

“The project is underway to increase beds for paediatric patients. We will have more than 1000 beds of paediatric patients. Currently, Kalawati saran Institute has 320 beds,” Dr Chander added.

Mansukh Mandaviya and Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar dedicated the new OPD and IPD block.

All hospital departments, including surgery, gynaecology, and medicine, will relocate to the new hospital block, and the old structure will be demolished.

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The new IPD Block will enhance LHMC’s bed strength from 877 to over 1000 beds.

An extra advanced CT scanner is housed in the IPD Block.

The new multi-specialty OPD Block has extra facilities for holistic health care, such as Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, and Homeopathy, in addition to all medical and surgical specialties.

The inaugural event was attended by Dr. Atul Goel, Director General Health Services, Dr. Ram Chandra, Director, Lady Hardinge Medical College, faculty members, employees, and students from the school.