Healthcare Is Not A Business But A Service: Mansukh Mandaviya

BW Healthcare World in association with HEAL Foundation hosted ‘Bharat Swaasth Mahotsav’ which celebrated ‘Healthcare Changemakers in India since independence’, the Padma Awardees of healthcare sector. 

Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilizers, Govt. of India attended the Mahotsav as the ‘Chief Guest’ to felicitate Padma Doctors, in a special commemoration ‘Padma Doctors Congregation’. Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar, MoS, Health and Family Welfare also graced the grand event as a ‘Guest of Honour.

The Health Minister said in his address that healthcare is not a business but a service. Recalling the Covid-19 pandemic and India’s leadership during the crisis, Mandaviya noted that India’s pharma industry got all support from the government to increase its production and helped as many as 150 countries by sending medical assistance to them. “Through the health sector, we showed our leadership during the pandemic, which was based on the welfare of the global humanity,” Mandaviya said.

Addressing Padma Awardee doctors’ contribution to society, Mandaviya said, “The nation will always be indebted to them (Padma Awardees) for their services to humanity. You all have exhibited immense perseverance, and that has helped you achieve this (Padma Award) respect.” He stressed the influence of these doctors in society and said that their knowledge sharing for the betterment of civil society is vital. “You will have to think about what we can give back to the country for this honour. Data and analysis should be ours so that the world can read them. We need the Nobel as well, along with the Padma, and doctors can give direction to the healthcare sector,” he added.

The role of frontline responders has been immense during the testing time of COVID-19. The hard work and commitment of doctors and healthcare professionals during this challenging time even at the altar of losing their lives is memorable in the history of mankind. They have been the real heroes who have risked their own health and lives to serve and save patients battling between life and death during COVID-19. The nation will always be indebted to them. And the ‘Padma Doctors Congregation’ was organised to pay tribute to their spectacular services and sacrifices to humanity.

“Its my honour to be present among the greats of our healthcare sector, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri, these are among the highest civilian awards of India. The Padma doctors have achieved great heights in their work of giving care and to celebrate their work, we have all come here to extend our gratitude and respect as their work has made India proud and the country is indebted to their contribution. In the last 7 decades, your contribution in revolutionising the healthcare services is priceless, and because of the determination and capabilities that you have shown in all these years, today when we are celebrating the Azaadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, our nation is able to stand as a world known healthcare sector,” stated Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar, MoS, Health and Family Welfare.

The day-long programme, hosted over 150-200 ‘Healthcare Impact Leaders’ and CEOs/CXOs from across the healthcare industry who came  together for the knowledge-sharing through five customised niche sessions. The first-ever 'Bharat Swaasth Mahotsav’ was a full-day programme followed by ‘Padma Doctors Congregation’ in the evening to felicitate the Padma Doctors of India for their exemplary contribution to the healthcare landscape in India since independence.

“Though the train of healthcare comprises of multiple stakeholders but the engine is always provided by the doctors, as the core responsibility of making the best judgment and to ensure that there is no accident and that the patient journey remains smooth fundamentally lies with the doctors. A doctor that I personally know spends 12-14 hours a day in OT every day for 6 days a week, and amongst us are the Padma Awardee Doctors who have lived a selfless life, dedicating all their life’s time and effort in delivering care to the needy. Even in the age of 65-70 years when most professionals retire, they remain among their patients as that gives them the utmost satisfaction,” stated Dr Swadeep Srivastava, Founder & Chairman, HEAL Foundation, and Co-Chairperson, Organising Committee, ‘Bharat Swaasth Mahotsav’.

Referring to the work done under the Modi government and addressing the Padma Awardees, Dr Annurag Batra, Chairman & Editor-in-Chief BW Businessworld, Chairperson, organising committee, Bharat Swaasth Mahotsav, said, “This government is known for being corruption free, progressive, inclusive, bringing in GST, building highways but I must say with the dynamic Ministers we have, along with the policymakers post pandemic in healthcare, this government will also be known for its healthcare delivery model over the coming years.  I also want to extend my sincere gratitude to all the Padma Awardees for dedicating their lives to save and touch thousands of patients throughout their carriers as health providers. The Padma Doctor Congregation celebrates, recognises, appreciates and applauds the work that the doctors have done in their years of service for the nation.”

“As a citizen of India today, I feel proud of what we have achieved, as the country earlier known for its IT sector is now also known for its development in healthcare thanks to each one of the healthcare providers and policymakers due to whom it has been made possible. We are now a go to destination for affordable and quality healthcare not just for Indians but for a global audience” said Mr Harbinder Narula, CEO, BW Healthcare World and Well-Being World.