Kalam outlines 5-point agenda for doctors

Unveiling a five-point vision for the medical fraternity, President A P J Abdul Kalam today asked doctors to treat at least 20 rural patients a year.

"Doctors should treat at least 20 rural patients a year at minimum rates by going to the rural areas," Kalam said in his address at the convocation ceremony of the B D Sharma Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences here.

Stressing on improving the standard of rural healthcare, President Kalam, who presented medical graduates with certificates, said doctors should give their time to patients who cannot afford medicare. "You should take up rural health care as a challenge," he told the medical graduates.

"The primary health centres (PHCs) and other health centres must be revamped and improved in Haryana and other parts of the country," he said.

Kalam also underlined the importance of medical research, and said the country must develop indigenous medicines and equipment to cure deadly diseases like HIV/AIDS. "Some of you may participate in research, development and use of vaccines against HIV, malaria and even against cardiac diseases," he told the students. (PTI)