Nat’l med council will improve health care quality: PM

Nat’l med council will improve health care quality: PM

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:27.02.2021 

The National Medical Commission set up by the Centre will bring in transparency, rationalise norms for new medical colleges and improve the quality and availability for human resources in health care sector, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday. He was delivering the address at the 33rd convocation of The Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University through video conferencing.

In the last six years, the country added 30,000 MBBS seats, more than 50% increase, and 24,000 postgraduate seats, an 80% increase, and added 15 more All India Institute of Medical Sciences. The centre has permitted TN to start 11 new medical colleges. “For each of these colleges, the Centre will provide ₹2,000 crore,” he said amid applause.

It was the first time a Prime Minister was addressing the convocation, but only 32 candidates received their degrees in person as pandemic protocols were followed. A total of 21,889 candidates were awarded postdoctoral, doctoral, post graduate, undergraduate degrees and diplomas. This included 6,120 under medicine, 534 under dental,1,297 in AYUSH and 13,938 in allied health sciences courses. Noting that at least 70% of the graduates were women, Modi said it was a matter of pride to see women lead from the front.

“Their success and the success of the institution would have made the great MGR very happy,” he said recalling that healthcare, education, and empowerment of women were dear to the late chief minister. The hospital built in Sri Lanka – MGR’s birthplace – with the Centre’s assistance will be a model hospital that will serve Tamil community there, he said.

He told the students they were graduating at a time when the country’s health ecosystem had scaled new heights and was being seen with new respect and had greater credibility. “This means there is great expectation and great responsibility on your young and strong shoulders,” he said.

Urging the students to keep their sense of humour intact as it would help them handle the stress better, stay healthy and keep patients and hospital staff cheerful, he also advised them to take time to exercise – do yoga, meditation, running, or cycling – to stay fit.

Governor Banwarilal Purohit handed over degrees/diplomas in the presence of vice-chancellor Dr Sudha Seshayyan, health minister C Vijayabaskar and health secretary J Radhakrishnan.

MATTER OF PRIDE: PM Narendra Modi said 70% of those awarded degrees at The Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University were women which was a great achievement