Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Aug 9: Addressing the 101st Foundation Day function of Delhi Medical Association (DMA) as chief guest here today, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said that for the medical fraternity, the future challenge is non-communicable diseases. If the first half and the middle of the 20th century were devoted to the research and treatment of various infectious diseases including tuberculosis, the last decade of the 20th century and the 21st century have thrown up non-communicable diseases including Diabetes Mellitus, heart disease, cancer, etc., as the major causes of morbidity and mortality, he observed.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, gone are the days when we would hear stories about people falling prey to epidemics of cholera and plague or succumbing to the ravages of incurable tuberculosis. Today, with the availability of effective antibiotic treatment on the one hand and on the other hand, increase in the average lifespan of an Indian, a different set of diseases of non-infectious and non-communicable nature have taken over, he observed.
While tremendous new breakthroughs are taking place in the areas of stem cells and gene-therapy, Dr Jitendra Singh said, “back to basics” continues to be time-tested “Mantra” which means that lifestyle modifications, regular physical activity, appropriate diet schedule and freedom from stress continue to hold the key to prevention and control of metabolic disorders like Diabetes, heart disease and dyslipidemia.
Dr Jitendra Singh also referred to several issues related to medical profession and medical professionals in the current scenario and observed that whenever there is a controversy or conflict, it is not because of the legitimate practice by a doctor which is his basic right but it is because of “malpractice”. In other words, it is not “practice” but “malpractice” which is the issue, he added.
In the rapidly evolving scenario, Dr Jitendra Singh suggested an optimum balance between private sector and public sector. He said, while private sector is destined to grow in a big way, a country like India can still not do without the existence of public sector health care system.
President DMA Dr Ajay Lekhi ,President-elect Dr Rakesh Kumar Gupta ,Secretary Alok Bhandari and Vice President Dr V.K.Malhotra, among others, were present on the occasion.
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