More public health facilities needed: Vardhan, Jung

Underlining the importance of public health services, Union Minister Harsh Vardhan and Delhi Lt Governor Najeeb Jung called for setting up of more such medical institutions with state-of-the-art facilities.
"Apart from providing affordable treatment to all, India also requires state-of-the-art medical facilities to carve its path in the global world," Vardhan said.
He was speaking at the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Gobind Ballabh Pant Hospital in the capital today.
"It is a matter to be noted that the health sector remains the greatest beneficiary of Prime Minister's Swachh campaign," he pointed out.
The Health Minister also drew attention to the exorbitant cost of liver transplant operations in the country.

"I am not concerned about how the rich are looked after. The status of public health in India is what bothers me. There is a dire need for robust public health outlets, where people from all sections of life are treated with affordability and accountability," Jung said.

Delhi Chief Secretary Deepak Mohan Spolia spoke about the role played by technology in improvising medical research and the need for well-equipped hospitals to reach out to the poor.
"State-owned super speciality hospitals should ensure that the poor and downtrodden are given the best medical attention," he said.
Sanjay Tyagi, Director, GB Pant Hospital conveyed the vote of thanks.

"We are working on tele-medicine facility, linking our hospital with operation theatres across the city to prove co-ordinated and accurate medical help. The hospital is trying to match the skill, scale and speed of our Prime Minister to make the hospital a force to reckon with," he said.
'Temple of Hope', a documentary made on the achievements of the hospital by Doordarshan was screened on the occasion.
A coffee table book chronicling the history of the hospital in photographs was released and former directors and meritorious students from various departments of the hospital were felicitated.