Central govt scheme to screen citizens for cardio-vascular disorders, diabetes :

When India got independence, the average life span of a person was 35 years, and in 2012, it has increased to 65 years.

It is the duty of medical fraternity to ensure that the citizens live a healthy life, opined Rajya Sabha MP Oscar Fernandes. He was addressing the gathering after the inauguration of Fr Muller International Cardio-Diabetes Conference at Father Muller Medical College in City on Saturday.

He said that the increase in number of cardio-vascular diseases and diabetes among Indians is an alarming fact and the Central government will be implementing scheme to screen the people for cardio-vascular diseases and diabetes. “India produces large number of doctors and through effective execution of different schemes, we can reduce the number of cases,” he said.

“The Centre has taken initiative to open more number of medical colleges in order to provide better health care facilities,” he added and opined that following traditional Indian food habit will constitute healthy diet, thereby reducing the diabetes cases. He also said that increasing the ratio of students per teacher in medical field will be helpful in producing more number of qualified doctors.

Renowned Cardiologist and Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiology (Bangalore) Director Dr C N Manjunath was felicitated on the occasion.

Addressing the gathering, Dr Manjunath said that non-communicable diseases are on the rise in India, contrary to 30 years back, when the communicable diseases ruled the roost. “Today about 40 per cent of deaths are due to cardio-vascular diseases.

There is a tremendous increase in the heart attacks and diabetes cases in India over the last few decades,” he said. “One among every 10 Indians has cardio-vascular disorders and diabetes. Sadly, considerable percentage of these patients are youth. If this continues, by the end of 2020, 60 million Indians would be having cardio-vascular diseases,” he warned.

He said that not only better medical facilities, but better connectivity also plays an important role in saving the lives. “Seven per cent of the total heart attack deaths are due to delay in treatment. Ambulances should be equipped with treatment facilities,” he said.

Speaking on the challenges the doctors are facing today, he said that doctors are reluctant to work in rural areas due to fear and scare. “Despite doctor’s sincere efforts, if a patient dies, the blame falls on the doctor.

People should realise the real fact and media should play a constructive role in this regard,” he suggested and opined that doctors and patients are being squeezed between the technological advances in treatment field and aggressive marketing. “It is all about how to give appropriate treatment to patients without lowering the standard of treatment, he said.

FMCI Director Fr Patrick Rodrigues, Father Muller Medical College Administrator Fr Denis D’Sa, Cardiology department head Dr H Prabhakar, cardiologist Dr Jayakrishnan A G were present.