Hundreds of millions still suffer from health deprivation despite India having hospitals and doctors capable of providing healthcare on a par with the best in the world, said, N. Ram, Chairman of Kasturi and Sons Limited, publishers of The Hindu .
Addressing ‘Gastro Expo 2014’, which was organised here on Sunday by GEM Hospital and Research Centre to mark its 25 years, he said that ‘health for all’ continued to remain elusive, notwithstanding the service rendered by medical and paramedical professionals.
Further, the cost of medical education was “not just prohibitive but excessively so,” resulting in many naturally-talented and skilled persons not getting through the system. “Capitation continues to remain a major issue despite the judgments of the Supreme Court and High Courts. It has to be addressed.”
Stating that there must be no compromise on the principle of ‘health for all,” Mr. Ram said that southern States, particularly Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, had made significant progress in this regard.
Despite having a low per capita income, Kerala had some of the best health indicators in the country, he added.
Justice P. Sathasivam, Governor of Kerala, inaugurated the ‘National Gastro Expo 2014’ on gastrointestinal problems. Among those who have erected stalls include the Tamil Nadu Food Safety Wing and Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore.
He noted that Dr. Palanivelu, Chairman, GEM Hospital and Research Centre, had introduced laparoscopy in south India even before it was adopted in metros.
Earlier, Dr. Palanivelu said that awareness and early detection through periodical screening was the key to tackle health issues such as cancer.
DietK. Ramalingam, Income Tax Commissioner, Coimbatore, said that people must watch their diet to avoid gastrointestinal issues. D.R. Karthikeyan, former Director of Central Bureau of Investigation, lauded the work done by GEM Hospital.
