The health care fraternity should work to make India the most affordable health facility, said President Droupadi Murmu. Research in medical field should make India a major hub for health care facilities in the world, she added.
Murmu was speaking during the inauguration of Platinum Jubilee year celebrations of Government Medical College and Hospital, Nagpur on Friday. She appreciated the services rendered by the GMCH in the past 75 years and for producing a large number of doctors who earned name across the world.
The COVID-19 pandemic made everyone realise the importance of a powerful health care facility. The doctors, nurses and other support staff worked very hard. Their dedication could help in vaccinating such a huge population speedily. Referring to inadequate doctors in proportion to the population, Murmu said the country had recently seen an increase in the number of medical college seats for MBBS and post-graduation courses.
Disparity in health services is also a problem and Government of India is paying attention to the issue. Opening of new medical colleges will reduce the regional imbalance and the rural-urban divide, Murmu said. The Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana and digitisation of medical records has helped in reaching the unreached. She also emphasised the need to generate awareness about organ donation, which is very low in the country. She also appreciated research in mental health at GMCH.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis lauded GMCH for producing good doctors to serve the country. The state government has given Rs 550 crores for the development of the facility. This will provide a facelift to the college and hospital. Modern amenities will be added to GMCH. Fadnavis told that he was born in GMCH, Nagpur.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said that it was Prime Minster Narendra Modi’s wish that all citizens should get good medical facilities at minimum cost. GMCH made Nagpur famous, as a large number of doctors who studied here have been rendering services across the world.
Medical Education Minister Hasan Mushrif said that ten new medical colleges have been opened. A total of 1,432 resident Medical Officers will be recruited soon. The process for the selection of 5,182 support staff has been completed. They will be issued appointment letters.
Four prominent personalities were honoured at the hands of Murmu. Dr B J Subhedar of the first batch of GMCH; for donation of land by Col Dr Kukde his grandson Adv Dinkar Kukde; for helping the college Dr Dhakuntala Gokhale’s relative Ravi Limaye and Dr Pramod Giri.
A special postal stamp was released by Murmu to mark the occasion.
Governor Remesh Bais released the souvenir and a Coffee Table Book.
Dean Dr Raj Gajbhiye made introductory remarks.