<p>Belagavi: Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilisers Jagat Prakash Nadda emphasised the need for a holistic and inclusive healthcare system.</p><p>He noted this while delivering the convocation address as the chief guest during the 15th annual convocation of KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research (KAHER), held at the KLE Centenary Convention Centre on Tuesday.</p><p>Nadda said, India’s health system is robust and capable of handling the nation’s needs. “We want a medical system that emphasises prevention, health promotion, curative care, rehabilitation, and geriatric services,” he said.</p><p>Nadda said, “During consultations with the stakeholders, we realised that we need an inclusive, holistic health system that considers all aspects. The 1997 health policy was concentrating on the curative part. We realised the need for an inclusive system that integrates all aspects of healthcare,” he said. </p><p><strong>Ayushman Arogya Mandirs</strong></p><p>To strengthen primary care, the Centre has established over 1.77 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs across the country. Each centre is staffed with a community health officer, who serves as the first point of contact for patients.</p><p>On the preventive healthcare front, Nadda highlighted the government’s nationwide screening initiative for individuals above 30 years of age. Screenings include tests for cervical and breast cancer in women, oral cancer in both genders, hypertension, diabetes, and other non-communicable diseases.</p><p>“Out of 29.35 crore people screened for various cancers, 1.35 crore tested positive and have begun treatment. For breast cancer, 15.6 crore women were screened, with 58,000 testing positive. Similarly, 92,000 out of 9.5 crore screened women tested positive for cervical cancer,” he said.</p><p>Nadda also drew attention to India’s achievements in public health. </p><p>“We are managing polio effectively, and the rate of decline in tuberculosis, maternal, and infant mortality is double the global average,” he said. He further lauded India’s Covid-19 vaccination drive, which administered over 220 crore doses, outperforming many developed nations.</p><p><strong>Opportunities for Indian graduates</strong></p><p>Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi said, the global healthcare sector is facing a shortage of skilled professionals, presenting significant opportunities for Indian graduates. “Graduating students should keep learning and upskilling themselves,” he advised.</p><p>Tata Memorial Hospital, Professor and Head, Cancer Surgery, Chief, GI and HPB Service, Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai Prof Dr Shailesh Shrikhande was conferred the honourary Doctor of Science degree. </p><p>Academic achievers were presented gold medals and certificates during the ceremony. </p><p>KAHER Chancellor and KLE Society Chairman Dr Prabhakar Kore presided over. </p><p>KAHER Vice Chancellor Dr Nitin Gangane presented the University annual report.</p>
<p>Belagavi: Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilisers Jagat Prakash Nadda emphasised the need for a holistic and inclusive healthcare system.</p><p>He noted this while delivering the convocation address as the chief guest during the 15th annual convocation of KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research (KAHER), held at the KLE Centenary Convention Centre on Tuesday.</p><p>Nadda said, India’s health system is robust and capable of handling the nation’s needs. “We want a medical system that emphasises prevention, health promotion, curative care, rehabilitation, and geriatric services,” he said.</p><p>Nadda said, “During consultations with the stakeholders, we realised that we need an inclusive, holistic health system that considers all aspects. The 1997 health policy was concentrating on the curative part. We realised the need for an inclusive system that integrates all aspects of healthcare,” he said. </p><p><strong>Ayushman Arogya Mandirs</strong></p><p>To strengthen primary care, the Centre has established over 1.77 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs across the country. Each centre is staffed with a community health officer, who serves as the first point of contact for patients.</p><p>On the preventive healthcare front, Nadda highlighted the government’s nationwide screening initiative for individuals above 30 years of age. Screenings include tests for cervical and breast cancer in women, oral cancer in both genders, hypertension, diabetes, and other non-communicable diseases.</p><p>“Out of 29.35 crore people screened for various cancers, 1.35 crore tested positive and have begun treatment. For breast cancer, 15.6 crore women were screened, with 58,000 testing positive. Similarly, 92,000 out of 9.5 crore screened women tested positive for cervical cancer,” he said.</p><p>Nadda also drew attention to India’s achievements in public health. </p><p>“We are managing polio effectively, and the rate of decline in tuberculosis, maternal, and infant mortality is double the global average,” he said. He further lauded India’s Covid-19 vaccination drive, which administered over 220 crore doses, outperforming many developed nations.</p><p><strong>Opportunities for Indian graduates</strong></p><p>Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi said, the global healthcare sector is facing a shortage of skilled professionals, presenting significant opportunities for Indian graduates. “Graduating students should keep learning and upskilling themselves,” he advised.</p><p>Tata Memorial Hospital, Professor and Head, Cancer Surgery, Chief, GI and HPB Service, Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai Prof Dr Shailesh Shrikhande was conferred the honourary Doctor of Science degree. </p><p>Academic achievers were presented gold medals and certificates during the ceremony. </p><p>KAHER Chancellor and KLE Society Chairman Dr Prabhakar Kore presided over. </p><p>KAHER Vice Chancellor Dr Nitin Gangane presented the University annual report.</p>
