New Delhi [India], September 30 : President Droupadi Murmu said on Monday that doctors provide the healing touch to ailing humanity and only they can make a difference between life and death.
President Murmu was addressing the 10th Convocation Ceremony of Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences (ABVIMS) in the presence of JP Nadda, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare and Dr VK Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog, here today.
"You have taken on a big responsibility. In our country, doctors are treated as gods because they take care of people's health. Please remember there should be a healing touch with the medicines you prescribe," she stated.
Speaking on the cases of violence against doctors and other health functionaries, the President also highlighted the need of patients and patient carers to remain calm during difficult times, stating that no doctor wants their patients to suffer.
"During the COVID pandemic, doctors and nurses performed their duties with dedication to save lives, and as a country, we will always be grateful to them," she added.
President Droupadi Murmu also urged the medical fraternity and related institutions to prioritise women's health. She highlighted that the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana has assisted women in accessing healthcare services. She also noted the achievements in the healthcare sector during the last 10 years.
"The number of medical institutions has increased, and the number of PG seats has doubled. New AIIMS have been established, and undergraduate courses have been introduced in these institutions," the president said.
She also presented the degrees to students of ABVIMS, including 36 Super Speciality students.
Speaking on the occasion, JP Nadda also congratulated all the students and emphasised that ensuring the highest standards of medical education is a top priority for the government.
"The students and scholars present here are our human resource capital for building a better future," he stated.
The Union Health Minister highlighted that professional education is a privilege that only a few are fortunate to receive, noting that "the government spends about 30-35 lakh rupees per medical student per year for providing such professional education."
He encouraged the students to efficiently apply their talent, skills, and knowledge towards improving the healthcare system in the country.
"Situation of doctors in India is entirely different from that of the western countries. The huge footfall at hospitals in India is not comparable with most of the countries across the globe. Not many can understand and comprehend the kind of patient care, research and innovations our doctors are involved in," Nadda said.
Dr V K Paul reiterated the advice of the President regarding the responsibilities of medical professionals, highlighting excellence, values, and empathy as key traits to success. He also encouraged the students to become academicians so that they can share their knowledge and expertise with the next generation of medical professionals.