Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Sunday said the country needs more medical colleges to meet the growing demand of doctors and other paramedics in the country, which is quite inadequate at present.
"The country is capable of producing huge talent of human resources in the medical field, and we need to expand quality medical institutions and medical colleges in the country, said Jaitley in his address at the 43rd convocation of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), which marked its diamond jubilee year.
He also stressed on the need to look into the policy on organ donation.
"Learn from the best practises across the world, in the Indian context, and without commercialising it," he added.
Jaitley said that people of the country in their dire need look towards AIIMS for healthcare needs, adding that this places an onerous responsibility on the institution to be the best and excel in face of the challenge of catering to the health needs of such a large footfall.
"The competence and credibility that AIIMS has developed over the years is no small task," he stated, adding it is the missionary zeal of the faculty, doctors, researchers and others serving at AIIMS that has made this possible.
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"The institution is a nursery of medical talent and it needs to expand to meet the growing need for medical human resource in the country, and the expansion plans for the institution have been taken up and some are underway," he added.
Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J P Nadda, who was also present on the occasion, said his ministry is poised to work on expanding the network of medical colleges in the country in a big way.
"In the first phase it is proposed to upgrade 58 district hospitals to medical colleges while 70 medical colleges are being upgraded by adding super specialty blocks under various phases of Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) scheme," he said.
"This reflects the importance attached by the government to the promotion of high quality tertiary care services and expansion of medical education in the country," he added.
Enumerating on the expansion of the premier institute, Nadda said that it is currently in a phase of sustained expansion with the National Cancer Institute, Mother and Child Block, a new OPD Block, a new Surgical Block, an Emergency and Diagnostic Block and a major expansion of the Trauma Centre comprising of a Burns and Plastic Surgery unit, a Centre for Digestive Diseases and a Centre for Diabetology at various stages of construction and sanctions.
"The National Cancer Institute represents the largest public investment in health sector with 710 beds at a cost of Rs. 2,035 crores," Nadda added.
Eluding to the instances of cases against doctors in consumer courts and the growing complaints against rude behaviour by doctors in public hospitals, he urged them to remember the 'hippocratic oath' and to show compassion and kindness while treating their patients.
Meanwhile, the Finance Minister gave away awards for Lifetime Achievement to former senior faculty members of AIIMS for their meritorious service.
Jaitley also announced recognition of AIIMS as an Institute of National Eminence and 100 percent tax exemption for any voluntary donation made to AIIMS.
AIIMS Director Prof. M C Misra, AIIMS Dean Prof. Balram Airan, senior officers of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare along with faculty and students of AIIMS were among those present on the occasion.