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Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State with Independent Charge for Science & Technology, MoS in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), handling Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy, and Space, shared his insights during the 3rd Healthcare Leaders Summit in New Delhi. Drawing from his expertise as a renowned Diabetologist, he highlighted the potential of digital healthcare as a powerful preventive tool against a wide spectrum of diseases. These diseases span lifestyle disorders like Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus to infectious conditions such as Covid. The Minister emphasized the significance of India’s digital roadmap for achieving accessible and affordable healthcare, contributing to the betterment of public health in the country.
Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized that the forthcoming years will prioritize digital healthcare, particularly with a preventative approach. He highlighted the imperative of a public-private partnership (PPP) model for healthcare services, which is crucial in eliminating the urban-rural disparity in healthcare access.
The Minister expressed that this integration isn’t solely about sharing technology, digital resources, finances, and human resources. It also fuels a positive exchange of ideas and energy, fostering a sense of belonging and shared responsibility towards common goals, whether they pertain to healthcare innovation or other sectors.
He underlined the potential of science and technology to bridge the gap between urban and rural areas, focusing on making healthcare services affordable, inclusive, and accessible to all segments of society.
Dr. Jitendra Singh commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his unwavering focus on healthcare. He attributed India’s effective management of the Covid pandemic, even outperforming smaller nations, to PM Modi’s personal involvement and intervention. He also highlighted India’s accomplishment in developing a DNA vaccine within a span of two years and sharing it with other nations.
The Minister emphasized that India’s healthcare infrastructure has witnessed significant improvements over the years. He noted the evolution of therapeutic and preventive approaches in healthcare over the past half-century. He highlighted the transition from infectious diseases to lifestyle-related conditions like coronary diseases, owing to globalization and changes in lifestyle. Additionally, he mentioned the rise in life expectancy, which now approaches 70 years of age.
Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted the significant emphasis the government has placed on healthcare under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership for over 9 years. He emphasized the transformative impact of initiatives like Ayushman Bharat, which shifted India’s approach from a sectoral to a comprehensive healthcare system, ensuring need-based healthcare services.
He praised Ayushman Bharat as a unique health insurance scheme globally, allowing coverage even for pre-existing conditions like cancer. This innovation enables individuals to seek financial assistance for their treatment after diagnosis.
Furthermore, Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized the role of Science and Technology in addressing societal needs and global challenges. He discussed the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) Bill, designed to encourage companies to invest in Research and Development. He elaborated on the proposed Public-Private Partnership (PPP) entity, with significant funding from both the private sector (Rs 36,000 crore) and the government (Rs 14,000 crore), aimed at fostering greater industry involvement in research endeavors.
Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized the significance of diabetes research in India, highlighting that the prevention of diabetes among youth and pregnant women is a crucial priority. He noted that with around 70% of the population being below the age of 40, the current youth will play a pivotal role as citizens of India in the future. He emphasized that preventive healthcare and extensive mass screening are essential to ensure that India’s economy achieves the expected growth rate envisioned by Prime Minister Modi.
