Former President A P J Abdul Kalam today stressed the need for developing indigenous medical equipment and systems by harnessing the medical and engineering communities of the country.
"Today 90 per cent medical equipments for patients are imported in the country. Medical colleges can collaborate with engineering colleges and research laboratories to develop innovative devices," Kalam said.
Kalam was speaking after inaugurating the OSMECON-2013, an annual research conference for undergraduate medical students organised in Osmania Medical College here.
He also advised the students to take a vow that they will work with engineers and R&D laboratories and make some of the unique tools and equipments indigenised.
The event saw participation of 800 medical students from across the country.
Speaking on the topic, 'What I will Be Remembered For', Kalam advised the medical students not to subject patients with 'Diagnostic Pain', pointing out, "If a patient suffering from stomach pain is asked to undergo numerous tests resulting in high bills he feels 'Diagnostic Pain'".
He also made the students to take an oath to not give patients 'Diagnostic Pain'.
"There are millions of doctors through out the world, but only few doctors are remembered. So if you want to be remembered you have to evolve yourself and shape your life," he said advising the students to treat their patients with compassion.
Referring on Primary Health Centres, he said, "Unfortunately, In India PHCs are not in good shape except some states. They should be reformed in the country."
Kalam said he addressed 16 million youth so far and out of this 1/10th are medical graduates.
Later replying to some questions of students, he said there is nothing like brain-drain.
"25-30 million Indians crossed the ocean either for knowledge or to garner for wealth. Indian colleges and institutions also have many foreign students. You cannot avoid this in a democratic country," he said.
