PRESIDENT OF INDIA GRACES 22ND CONVOCATION OF NATIONAL BOARD OF EXAMINATIONS IN MEDICAL SCIENCES

The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu graced and addressed the 22nd convocation of the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) in New Delhi today (May 10, 2024).

Underlining the importance of golden hour in medical emergencies, the President said that the life of patients could be saved if they get treatment during this period. She said that specialist doctors should be sensitive towards emergency patients and they should never ask an emergency patient to go somewhere else for treatment.

Giving reference of the saying -‘justice delayed is justice denied’, President Murmu stressed that in the healthcare sector, the time is even more important because treatment delayed may be life denied. She said that sometimes we hear the sad news that if timely treatment had been given, the life of the person could be saved. Even if life is saved, in many situations, treatment delayed is health denied. Such examples are often seen in paralysis patients. Due to lack of timely treatment, patients lose the ability to move their limbs and become dependent on others.

The President appreciated the past and present members of NBEMS for their contribution to medical education over the past nearly four decades. She noted that the efforts of NBEMS have significantly increased the availability of specialist doctors in the country.

The President urged doctors to pay attention towards prompt healthcare, sensitive healthcare and in-expensive healthcare. She said that they can make an invaluable contribution to the country and society by giving their time free of cost to poor patients. She told the medical students that if they have chosen medical as a profession, then they definitely have the desire to serve humanity. She called upon them to protect, enhance and spread the spirit of service.

The President said that in view of the vast population of our country, there is a need to continuously increase the availability of doctors. She stated that it should be the endeavor of all to give priority to quality along with quantity.

The President said that Indian doctors have made their mark globally. Due to affordable Medicare, India has become a major center of medical tourism. She described doctors as the most important part of the country's healthcare system and expressed confidence that they will take the health services of the country to greater heights.

Noting that the number of female doctors is more than the male doctors who got degrees and medals at this convocation, the President said that the achievement of girl students in higher medical education is a great achievement of our society and country. She stated that in the context of most of the families, it can be said that girls are made to feel the limitations and restrictions. Even in society and public places girls have to be extra conscious about their safety and society's acceptance. In such an environment our daughters are presenting a new picture of the new India by proving their excellence.