Every Lok Sabha election brings with it hopes and new promises for the country and so were this year’s elections. From the newly formed government, the doctors here have expressed their aspirations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day speech last year had announced the launch of Ayushman Bharat National Health Protection Scheme.
Claimed as the biggest government sponsored health scheme in the world, Ayushman scheme aims to provide healthcare services to over 10 crore families comprising the urban and rural poor. The Pioneer spoke to some doctors on the health scenario of the country.
Ayurvedic consultant Dr Deepak Kumar said, “The Ayushman Bharat scheme requires much vigilance in implementation. It should not be just an election gimmick but should be carried forward in practice.
Those states of India which have not initiated this scheme must do that, the centre should make it compulsory. This central government must retain its valid control and states should be asked to follow it compulsorily.” Swami Dayadhipananda, head of diabetics centre in a hospital said that complete overhaul of medical education is sought by the medical fraternity. In healthcare, more development of government sector with substantial amount of budget allocation should be done. The government must also think of measures to protect doctors against violence and unnecessary litigations.
He also added that the government should take more initiatives to promote integrated medicine and all branches of medicine should be brought under one umbrella. More focus should be laid on preventive medicine.
Paediatrician Dr Vijay Verma said that health education and health awareness should be given priority. Integrated medicine for treatment of vector borne diseases like dengue and swine flu which grip the city residents every year, must be encouraged in district hospitals.
AYUSH department must ensure inclusion of Yoga therapist in every state run hospital for reducing post surgery recovery time, opine some.Ayurvedic and natural medicine consultant Dr VK Agnihotri said, “Doctors expect few things from government which include the availability of required number of doctors in the health centres. At present most government hospitals are reeling under scarcity of doctors. Cost of medicines should remain within reach of all sectors of society.
Integrated therapies of allopathy and Ayurveda must be encouraged by government in disseminating healthcare to patients.” Senior physician at RK Mission hospital, Dr S Chowdhary said, “The Ayushman Bharat scheme launched by the central government is a good initiative. It must be implemented by the state with utmost care lest it fails. The centre had initiated this scheme for select beneficiaries belonging to BPL families but Uttarakhand Government has made it accessible to one and all, even for a family with annual income of Rs 10 lakh.
This increases the risk factor in its implementation. Initially the government must start with one or two big hospitals in a city and then take it to every health centre.”
