By IANS,
New Delhi: All the advancements in the domestic healthcare sector notwithstanding, the key challenge lies in meeting the needs of the underprivileged, Planning Commission member Syeda Hameed said here Saturday.
“The key challenge lies in meeting the healthcare needs of the vulnerable groups that face multiple deprivations,” Hameed said at a workshop on reform in healthcare education by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
“Reaching the unreached is key to an inclusive healthcare system,” she added.
Lack of reliable data on human resources was a major constraint that should be addressed with the support of the private sector and with the application of modern technologies, experts said at the conference.
Representatives from the ministry of health and family welfare also emphasised on the need for expanding manpower and providing better training at medical colleges.
“Due initiatives are being taken to increase the number of medical colleges in the country through rationalisation of the provisions relating to land requirements and availability of faculty. By the end of the 12th Plan, the intake of medical students both at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels will have to be increased appreciably,” Joint Secretary of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Debasish Panda said.
“Quality of education is also a key concern. A number of bills related to medical education are on the anvil,” added Panda.