Serve in rural areas, graduating doctors told

All India Institute of Medical Sciences-Jodhpur Director and CEO Dr Sanjeev Misra called upon the graduating doctors to devote time to help people in rural areas and also underprivileged sections of the society.

Delivering convocation address at the Yenepoya (Deemed to be University) here, on Saturday, he said as per National Health Profile, India’s per capita public expenditure on health had rise to Rs 1,112 in 2015-16 compared to Rs 621 in 2009-10.

The access to health care in rural areas is not adequate and it is the doctors who can make all the difference by serving in rural areas, he said.

“The approach towards a patient should be evidence-based, which includes the patient concerns besides the best research evidence and the clinical expertise. One needs to look at the problem not only from the point of view of medical reason but also should try to see the social pathology and social etiology of the patient,” he explained.

Further, he urged the doctors to create awareness among the people on the prevention of diseases. “With the changing lifestyle, eating habits and emergence of new diseases, one should have holistic approach to diseases. Stress plays an important role in our lives and it is important to have ways to combat stress.”

“As individuals all of us can make a difference towards health by keeping our surroundings clean and spread awareness on controlling mosquito menace,” he said.

Honoris Causa (honorary doctorate) was conferred on Dr Vedaprakash Mishra, Chancellor of Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, Karad. Convocation degrees were awarded to 644 students on the occasion.

Gold medal awards were given away to best outgoing students —Ani Atiquah Binti Muslim, Vigraman A L Sundara Moorthi, Shyamamol K R, Amrita Priya A and N P Mubashira.