Need to pay more attention to preventive healthcare: President of India

New Delhi: The President of India, Droupadi Murmu graced and addressed the ninth convocation of the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) in New Delhi on December 27, 2023.

Speaking on the occasion, the President said that ILBS has carved its own niche in a span of only 13 years on the strength of world-class efficiency and integrity. She was happy to note that more than 1000 liver transplants and approximately 300 renal transplants have been performed at ILBS. She stated that India is becoming an international healthcare hub on the strength of institutions like ILBS by providing world-class health services at relatively low cost.

Mrs Murmu said that with the integration of life sciences and modern information technology, revolutionary changes are taking place in the field of healthcare. She termed the establishment of Artificial Intelligence Learning Unit in ILBS as a timely initiative. She urged ILBS to continue to work in the field of research along with providing treatment.

The President said that there is a need to pay more attention to preventive healthcare. It can be said that liver is the security guard of our body. Health problems related to liver are serious in our country and the huge number of diseases caused by them is a cause for worry. She said that ILBS is expected to make a significant contribution in the prevention of liver diseases.

Mrs Murmu said that due to non-availability of sufficient number of organs, many patients are deprived of liver, kidney or any other transplant. Unfortunately, unethical practices related to organ donation also come to light from time to time. It is the responsibility of an aware society to solve these problems. In our country, there is a need to organize more and more awareness campaigns on a larger scale to encourage people about organ donation.

The President advised doctors to take care of themselves. She said that amidst the challenges like long duty hours, continuous emergency cases and night duties, they have to continuously serve the patients with full alertness and enthusiasm. Therefore, it is important that despite all the challenges, they all remain physically, mentally and spiritually healthy and alert.