Hyderabad: Doctors and public health experts at the 13th National Conference of Indian Doctors for Peace and Development asserted that healthcare was a fundamental right and not charity.
The conference began on Saturday at the Dr. G.K. Kirloskar Hall in the IMA Building at Koti. IDPD National President Dr. Arun Mitra presided over the inaugural session.
Telangana Additional Director of Medical Education Dr. Ramadevi and noted cardiologist Prof. K. Srinath Reddy attended the programme.
Addressing the theme “Modernization of Healthcare Services – Equitable Healthcare for All”, Prof. Srinath Reddy said governments were failing to prioritize healthcare and education.
He said nearly 30 to 40 crore people in India still lacked access to basic healthcare services. He also warned that wars, violence and rising inequalities were damaging global public health.
Prof. Srinath Reddy expressed concern over more than 100 million landmines spread across 58 countries. He also described the concentration of nuclear weapons in a few nations as a threat to humanity and peace.
Equitable healthcare conference highlights rural access concerns
Dr. Ramadevi described healthcare delivery as a social responsibility. She urged doctors to treat patients with compassion and care.
She also highlighted government measures aimed at improving healthcare access in rural areas.
IDPD Senior Advisor Amarjeeth Kaur said only a small section of the population received healthcare through government systems. She added that nearly 700 million rural residents still lacked basic medical services.
Amarjeeth Kaur termed deaths caused by child malnutrition deeply distressing. She also criticized what she described as governmental indifference toward the issue.
Former MP Aziz said the absence of serious public health discussions in legislatures was atrocious. Senior CPI leader Dr. K. Narayana blamed governments for neglecting healthcare and education sectors.
Equitable healthcare conference stresses peace and justice
Several speakers cautioned against diverting public health funds toward war and weapons expenditure.
Among them were Dr. Krishna Reddy, Dr. K. Rajani, Prof. Dr. Ramakishan, Dr. M. Bharath, Dr. J. Madhavi, Dr. Arif Ahmed, Prof. Dr. Srinivas, Prof. Dr. Boori Ranga Reddy and Dr. Ch. Prabhavathi.
The speakers stressed that equitable healthcare could only be achieved through peace, disarmament and social justice.