National Family Medicine Day observed to recognize the importance of Family Physicians during the 6th National Conference of Family Medicine and Primary Care at AIIMS, Rishikesh
On this occasion, the chief guest, Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Raj Bhushan Choudhary, while describing the importance of family physicians, said that today the number of patients in hospitals is increasing because of the shortage of family physicians in the community. Therefore, he stressed on bringing back the concept of family doctor, and also expressed the need to train family doctors, so that we can build a good and strong health system.
He mentioned the various health programs sponsored by the Government of India. He talked about the decision to extend the benefit of the health insurance scheme under Ayushman Bharat to people above seventy years of age. He said that the Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Yojana is efficiently providing low cost and good quality medicines. Crores of people have benefited from the program. Similarly, during the Covid pandemic, vaccines were made available to more than a billion people of India. The number of new AIIMS institutions has also increased due to which people across India are benefiting. During the program, Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti Chaudhary, who himself is a doctor by profession and has served patients at village level, also discussed with the medical students and discussed with them the intricacies of the medical profession, and also advised the doctors to do community outreach. He inspired them to work in community and rural areas. .
Professor Dr. Atul Kotwal, Director of National Health System Resource Center (NHSRC), said that it is very important for doctors to regularly visit remote rural areas and work for the needy people there and the patients deprived of health facilities, so that doctors can understand the social environment there and become familiar with the health conditions of the people.
Lieutenant General Sadhna S. Nair, VSM, Director General Medical Services (Army) described the role of family physician as extremely important in view of the adverse effects of the current lifestyle on public health and said that primary health care is of utmost importance when it comes to health. Government initiatives and policies are also necessary to address the challenges faced by primary health care in India. She gave the message to the primary health care doctors to work in coordination in public health.
On this occasion, former cricketer Madan Lal flagged off the ‘Run for Family Health – Physical Activity for All Family Members’ campaigns. It was told that through the rally, the participants gave a message of awareness to the society and families to be conscious about their health.On the occasion of the conference organised under the guidance of Professor (Dr.) Meenu Singh, Director and CEO of the Institute, former cricketer Madan Lal said that in the current hectic and hectic environment, a balanced diet, exercise is necessary to keep oneself healthy and fit. During this event, he also made the participants attending the conference take a pledge to stay fit in their life and do regular exercise.
National President of the Academy of Family Physicians of India, Dr. Raman Kumar said that every year the foundation day of the AFPI is celebrated as National Family Medicine Day. He said that the National Medical Commission Act 2019 has specifically mandated the UG and PG boards to strengthen Family Medicine specialty. MD programs in Family Medicine are being started in all the new AIIMS.
Executive Director of AIIMS, Rishikesh Professor (Dr.) Meenu Singh, Dean Academic Professor Dr. Jaya Chaturvedi, Organizing Secretary Dr. Santosh Kumar, Treasurer Dr. Mahendra were present in the national conference organised