Previous Govt’s failed to take care of preventive healthcare: Dr Jitendra

Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh addressing a CME on THYROCON at GMC Jammu on Saturday. -Excelsior/Rakesh
  • ‘Modi gave priority to this sector’

Avtar Bhat

JAMMU, Apr 8: Accusing successive Governments for not taking care of preventive healthcare in last 70 years, Union Minister with Independent Charge of Science and Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh said Prime Minister, Narendra Modi deserves all credit for giving priority to preventive healthcare.

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Talking to reporters on the sidelines of CME on THYROCON held at Government Medical College (GMC) here, today Dr Jitendra Singh said preventive healthcare is essential to build healthy India at 2047 when country will be celebrating hundredth year of India’s independence.
The Union Minister, who termed the PM a great visionary leader with scientific temperament, said under the leadership of Narendra Modi, India produced two DNA vaccines and one Nasal vaccine in a span of just two years.
He said India not only fulfilled its domestic need to fight the dreaded COVID but also supplied the vaccine to other countries in their battle against the dreaded pandemic. The world acknowledged India’s role in fighting the COVID-19 and its hidden ability. That raised India’s esteem at international level, he added.
Dr Jitendra Singh said 25 years after India will emerge world leader as our youth have full capacity, capability and talent to build the nation.
Earlier, while addressing the delegates participating in the THYROCON, as chief guest at GMC, he emphasised the role and responsibility of the youth to be the architects of Amrit Kaal. The energy and potential of the youth has to be channelised in nation building, he added.
The CME on THYROCON, was organised by Jammu Doctor’s Foundation in association with Department of Endocrinology, Government Super Speciality Hospital Jammu. The “Updates in THYROCON” will reflect the progress in clinical management of patients with thyroid disorders.
Dr Jitendra Singh appreciated the efforts of Dr Shashi Sudhan Sharma, Principal GMC Jammu for conducting the CME.
He mentioned that Thyroid disorders are a common health problem in Jammu and Kashmir, like other parts of India. According to a study published in the journal of Medical Science and Clinical Research in 2019, the prevalence of thyroid disorders in Jammu and Kashmir is around 12.3%, with hypothyroidism being the most common type, Dr. Jitendra Singh informed.
He also flagged two issues, the first is the shift from clinical medicine teaching due to increasing diagnostic capabilities. Now the clinical details are inferred after obtaining the test reports. The second issue is of Indian Research, Indian Data and Indian solution to Indian problems. He raised the issue of the West using Indian data. The need of the hour is using diverse Indian data to develop indigenous solutions to medical health issues.
Dr Jitendra Singh emphasised on the importance of integration amongst the medical fraternity. He further said, Government Medical College, Jammu has always taken a lead in overall enhancement of health status of the region. These premier institutes should work on establishing state of art Thyroid Diseases Research and Treatment Centre. There is no dearth of resources and New India is an era of opportunities in healthcare. It is pertinent to mention here that it was due to the efforts of Dr Jitendra Singh that IIIM Jammu is collaborating with GMC Jammu for exclusive research projects like cannabis based painkillers and MDR-TB.
With his great efforts, AIIMS Jammu has signed an MoU with IIT Jammu for Technology Development and IIM Jammu for marketing.
Others present on the occasion were Lt.Gen.(Dr.) Narendra Kotwal, Director & Commandant AFMC, Pune as guest of honour, Dr. Shashi Sudhan Sharma, Principal & Dean GMC, Jammu, Organising Chairman, Dr. Rattan P Kudyar (Retd). HoD Medicine & Director Principal ASCOMS, , Organising Secretary and Dr. Suman Kotwal, Assistant Professor, Endocrinology GMC, Jammu.