WHO recommends a doctor-to-population ratio of 1:1000, India have achieved a ratio of 1:900: Bhubaneswar Kalita

New Delhi: In a significant stride towards bolstering healthcare infrastructure, India has surpassed the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommended doctor-to-population ratio, achieving a commendable ratio of 1:900, announced Bhubaneswar Kalita, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare.

Kalita emphasized that ''investing in health and hygiene is not just a moral imperative, it is an economic necessity''.

Speaking at ASSOCHAM’s second Awareness Summit on Illness to Wellness, Kalita highlighted the transformative journey India has undertaken in the realm of health and hygiene. "Beyond mere rhetoric, health and hygiene stand as the foundational pillars of prosperous societies. India's journey, though challenging, has been inspirational, marked by a transition from combating infectious diseases to embracing preventive healthcare," he remarked.

The WHO recommends a doctor to population ratio of 1:1000, Kalita said, adding we have achieved a ratio of 1:900 which is an improvement over the guidelines.

These achievements underscore the effectiveness of robust healthcare initiatives and the importance of prioritising hygiene practices. The various initiatives and programmes of the government has transformed the society into a health conscious one, he said.

“As we strive for universal health coverage, it is imperative to empower communities with knowledge and resources to safeguard their wellbeing. The government has increased the number of medical colleges and we will have one medical college in every district and shortage of doctors in rural areas will soon be a thing of the past,” he added.

Delivering the welcome address, Anil Rajput, Chairperson, ASSOCHAM National CSR Council, said, “This initiative was launched in 2014 with the belief that we have the scientific knowledge to create a world in which most of the diseases could be either eliminated or controlled by preventive healthcare awareness. We are driven by a commitment to promote health and wellness for all with a focus on empowerment, education, collaboration and sustainable impact.” “Over the years we have endeavoured to maximise outreach and impact, from organising camps and awareness campaigns on a slew of critical ailments, to holding regular webinars on key health developments with the overarching objective of providing remedies and motivation,” he added.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr Ashok Seth, Chairman, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, Delhi, said wellness is a state of mind, spirit and body and illness a deficiency of social, physical, mental and spiritual factors.

“A new India for the world has to encompass health towards wellness. The 20th Century was the most scientific 100 years ever lived by mankind, the various discoveries and inventions has turned man into demi-gods and we forgot spirituality,” Dr Seth said.

“A microbe and the Covid pandemic showed humankind the limits of its power. The understanding about working together, of mental health and empowerment is the silver lining leading us to talk about wellness with greater urgency. Science made us live in the 20th century and we must now combine science with spirituality as we go into the 21st century,” he added.

Dr Anil Agarwal, Medical Director, Govind Ballabh Pant Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education Research, Government of NCT of Delhi, in his address said public awareness is an important prerequisite to the adoption of healthy practices.

It is also equally important that the right information is disseminated, he added.

Dr Agarwal said early detection is the cornerstone of treatment and seeking early medical intervention is advisable.

The focus should be on silent killers and vulnerable groups in raising public awareness. Reaching out to school children is a good approach as the younger you start the more ingrained will the awareness be. Imparting basic life-saving skills to students in schools and colleges will be very effective in combating sudden death, he added.

India's achievement in surpassing WHO guidelines underscores its commitment to strengthening healthcare infrastructure and promoting holistic wellness nationwide.