Vice-President urges medical research and innovation to address global healthcare challenges
Hyderabad: Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan on Monday called for stronger medical research and innovation to address global healthcare challenges. He urged medical institutions to embrace advanced technologies while maintaining compassion, patient safety and ethical responsibility.
Addressing the 40th Ruby Jubilee celebrations of Dr. NTR University of Health Sciences in Vijayawada on October 26, Radhakrishnan encouraged students and researchers to pursue scientific breakthroughs. He said medical institutions should strive for international recognition through meaningful contributions to healthcare and medical science.
Vice-President stresses medical research and innovation
Radhakrishnan said research institutions must strengthen their capabilities to respond to emerging healthcare challenges. He emphasised that technological advancement should ultimately serve humanity and improve patient care.
Accordingly, he urged medical students, researchers and healthcare professionals to pursue innovations capable of addressing major health concerns. He also encouraged institutions to collaborate with leading international universities to advance scientific research.
Such partnerships, he said, could help strengthen research capabilities and promote progress in medical science. The Vice-President stressed that compassion should remain central to healthcare even as technology transformed medical practices.
Highlighting the expansion of medical education in India, Radhakrishnan presented figures showing substantial growth in institutions and student intake. He said the number of medical colleges had increased from 387 before 2014 to 846.
Meanwhile, MBBS seats had risen to more than 1.4 lakh, expanding opportunities for undergraduate medical education. Postgraduate medical seats had also increased to over 86,000, he said.
The Vice-President cited these figures while discussing the development of India’s medical education infrastructure. He urged institutions to build on this expansion by strengthening academic standards, research capabilities and scientific contributions.
AI and digital health require ethical safeguards
Radhakrishnan advocated wider adoption of artificial intelligence, digital healthcare systems, telemedicine and advanced diagnostic technologies. However, he emphasised that technological innovations must undergo scientific validation before their application in patient care.
He also stressed the importance of protecting patient information and maintaining data privacy. Additionally, he called for ethical responsibility in the development and deployment of healthcare technologies.
The Vice-President said medical research and innovation should focus on improving healthcare while safeguarding patient interests. He maintained that technological progress must remain consistent with the fundamental responsibilities of the medical profession.
Radhakrishnan described former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N.T. Rama Rao as a visionary leader whose commitment extended beyond regional boundaries. He congratulated Dr. NTR University of Health Sciences on completing four decades of service to medical education and healthcare.
The Vice-President acknowledged the institution’s 40-year journey during the Ruby Jubilee celebrations. He also released a commemorative souvenir marking the university’s four decades of service.
Doctors urged to lead campaigns against drug abuse
During the programme, Radhakrishnan called upon doctors and healthcare professionals to actively participate in public awareness campaigns against drug abuse. He described the fight against narcotics as a collective responsibility requiring wider public participation.
He urged medical professionals to use their knowledge and public engagement to promote awareness about the dangers of drug abuse. The Vice-President also joined the gathering in taking a pledge to work towards a drug-free society.
Andhra Pradesh Governor S. Abdul Nazeer attended the celebrations alongside Ministers Nara Lokesh and Kolusu Parthasarathy. Dr. NTR University of Health Sciences Vice-Chancellor P. Chandrasekhar and other dignitaries also participated in the event.