The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu today said that healthcare is not just ‘absence of illness’ and called for taking a holistic view of health that includes physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing and empowers an individual to reach his/her full potential.
In a video message for NDTV’s latest edition of ‘Banega Swasth India’, the Vice President said that this holistic approach towards health is the aim of ‘Swasth Bharat’, which will ultimately lead to ‘Sampann Bharat’ or prosperous Bharat.
Taking note of the significant gains in health indices since independence, Shri Naidu urged the Centre and States to work in a team India spirit with renewed vigor to further improve the health indices. “Apart from increasing public spending on health, there is also a need to augment the health infrastructure at various levels through a public-private partnership,” he added.
Calling for bridging disparities in health infrastructure between urban and rural areas, he said “While bringing tertiary care to rural areas, it is imperative that we strengthen our primary health care system for better health outcomes.” He lauded the government’s flagship scheme, Ayushman Bharat and said it has brought ‘health assurance’ to millions of poor families.
Expressing his concern over the disturbing trend of increasing Non-Communicable Diseases in India, Shri Naidu called for creating greater awareness among people on lifestyle diseases. He urged health experts and cultural icons to take the lead in this regard.
Referring to COVID pandemic, the Vice President praised all frontline workers including doctors and paramedics staff, sanitation workers, police and media persons for the extraordinary resilience, courage and spirit of sacrifice displayed by them in fighting the pandemic and serving the people. He said the pandemic has also reminded us that our health is intricately connected to the health of the planet and man must avoid interfering with the natural ecosystems for his selfish interests. ‘One Health, One Planet, One Future’ is the way forward, he added.
Noting that about 65 percent of our population is below the age of 35 years, he exhorted the youth to adopt a healthy and disciplined lifestyle by undertaking regular physical activity like yoga or cycling and eating healthy food. He advised youngsters to avoid getting addicted to digital devices.
Complimenting NDTV for the timely and important initiative to improve public awareness on crucial issues of health and wellness, Shri Naidu wished the program all success.
Following is the full text of Vice President’s video message –
“Sisters and Brothers,
I am happy to know that NDTV has launched another edition of its annual event, ‘Banega Swasth India’. This is a very timely and important initiative that seeks to improve public awareness on the crucial issues of health and wellness. I compliment NDTV for this effort.
The COVID pandemic has taught us many important lessons. It has also made every one of us—from individuals to governments focus greater attention on health. Before moving further, I would like to convey my deepest appreciation to all the doctors and other frontline healthcare workers for the extraordinary resilience, courage and spirit of sacrifice displayed by them in fighting the pandemic and serving the people. My compliments also to all other COVID warriors from sanitation staff to media and police personnel for their dedicated service during this pandemic.
Friends,
As you all are aware, India is a young nation with about 65 percent of the population below the age of 35 years. It is, therefore, imperative for our youngsters to adopt a healthy and disciplined lifestyle. They must undertake regular physical activity like yoga or cycling; avoid sedentary habits, unhealthy diet like junk food, and consumption of substances that are harmful to health. Youngsters must also take special care not to get addicted to digital devices.
While India has made significant gains in health indices since independence, the Centre and States must work in a team India spirit with renewed vigor to further improve the health indices. Apart from increasing public spending on health, there is also a need to augment the health infrastructure at various levels through a public-private partnership. The stark disparities in health infrastructure between urban and rural areas need to be bridged. While bringing tertiary care to rural areas, it is imperative that we strengthen our primary health care system for better health outcomes.
It would be pertinent to point out that the government’s flagship scheme, Ayushman Bharat, is a laudable initiative which has brought ‘health assurance’ to millions of poor families.
Going forward, we must focus on curbing the disturbing trend of increasing Non-Communicable Diseases in India, which now account for around 60 percent of deaths in the country. We need to create greater awareness among people on lifestyle diseases. I urge health experts and cultural icons to take the lead in this regard.
The pandemic has also reminded us that our health is intricately connected to the health of the planet. Man must avoid interfering with the natural ecosystems for his selfish interests. ‘One Health, One Planet, One Future’ is the way forward.
Friends,
Finally, I suggest that we move past the notion of healthcare as the absence of illness and take a holistic view of health that includes physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing and empowers an individual to reach his/her full potential. This is the aim of ‘Swasth Bharat’, which will ultimately lead to ‘Sampann Bharat’ or prosperous Bharat.
My best wishes to the audience of NDTV and the panelists on this programme. May we strive together with greater determination for a Swasth and Sampann Bharat.
