E-symposium held on people access to healthcare
Aligarh: The Faculty of Unani Medicine, Aligarh Muslim University, in association with the Indian Integrated Community Health Association (IICHA) and Simnan Imperial Guild (Sig), organized the 2nd IICHA National E-Symposium online on “People Access to Healthcare without the Prospects of Financial Hardship” marking the centenary celebration of AMU.
In his welcome address, Dr Jugal Kishore (President, IICHA & Director, Department of Community Medicine, VM Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi), highlighted various government policies with regard to financial assistance for medical care. He said proper awareness drive is needed to educate people how they can be benefitted from such government policies.
Chief Guest Mr G S Priyadarshi (IAS and Commissioner, Aligarh Division) emphasized the need for expenditure of funds on preventive aspects rather than curative one. He urged academicians and administrative officials to work together for the benefit of society. He said it is high time to integrate resources and distribution mechanisms for the maximum benefit of marginalized people in society.
In his presidential remarks, AMU Treasurer, Padma Shri Professor Hakeem S Zillur Rehman discussed the significance of different pathies and their efficacy in different regions of the country.
Delivering the keynote address, Prof M Athar Ansari (former Chairman, Department of Community Medicine, AMU) spoke on “Catastrophic Health Expenditure in India: An Overview”. He discussed various aspects of the problem and suggested solutions for them.
Prof Khan Mohammad Qaiser (MIJ Tibbiya College, Mumbai) spoke on “People’s Suffering Financial Hardship in Healthcare-Problems and Probable Solution” and Dr Shiva Kumar Harti (All India Institute of Ayurveda, New Delhi) discussed “Contribution of Ayurveda towards Accessible Health Care in Covid-19 Pandemic”.
Earlier, Prof S M Safdar Ashraf, in his introductory address, said that the objective of the symposium is to facilitate academicians to discuss problems and their solutions pertaining to health expenditure in India. He said deliberations with special reference to COVID-19 Pandemic will help understand the financial issues involving the pandemic faced by the people all over the world.
A number of concerned people attended the e-symposium from different parts of the country.
The experts who attended the academic session of the symposium included Prof Rakeash Bhargava, Prof Athar Ansari, Prof A Nadeem Khan (Aligarh), Prof Jugal Kishore (Delhi), Prof Khan M Qaiser (Mumbai), Prof V K Agnihotri (Haridwar), Prof K K Sharma (Jaipur), Dr Arish M K Sherwani (Banglore), Dr M Akram, Dr Shiva Kumar Harti (Delhi) and Dr Mohammad Usman (Allahabad).
Prof Shahid Ali Siddiqui, Principal, J N Medical College, AMU addressed the symposium as the guest of honour and highlighted the facilities available at JNMC for the treatment of cancer patients.
Mr S Qamaruddin Ashraf (President, Sig) was present on the occasion. The IICHA adopted some patients for free treatment at JNMC.
Prof A Nadeem Khan proposed the vote of thanks while Dr Abdul Aziz Khan moderated the programme.