Doctors urged to champion public health as AP sets Vision 2047 targets
The health minister participated as the chief guest at the National Doctors' Day Celebrations organized at Dr. NTR University of Health Sciences in Vijayawada on Tuesday. On the occasion, the Minister, for the first time, presented Best Doctor Awards, selected by Dr. NTR University, to ten eminent doctors, including Padma Shri awardee Dr. Padma Srivatsava, for their unwavering contributions to healthcare and medical education.
The Best Doctor Awardees include Dr A Ashwini Kumar (89), Dr R Murali Babu Rao (80), Dr A Srinivas Rao (74), Dr Potugunta Bhaskar Naidu (73), Dr Gujjula Bhavani Prasad (71), Dr M Krishna Naik (66), Dr Bharati Talisetty (66), Dr Kadali Satya Vara Prasad (65), and Dr DSVL Narasimhan (63).
Speaking on the occasion, Satya Kumar Yadav recalled the valuable medical services and sacrifices rendered by doctors during the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Expressing concern over Andhra Pradesh lagging behind in certain Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Minister said, "HIV incidence per thousand population is twice that of the national average. The death rate due to traffic accidents is two and a half times that of India.
The suicide rate in AP is nearly four times the national average. The prevalence of anemia among women is alarming, and out-of-pocket health expenditure is significantly high."
"These numbers reflect the distance we need to cover to achieve Swarnandhra @2047, aiming for a 'Healthy, Wealthy, and Happy Andhra Pradesh,'" he added.
"The govt targets for Vision 2047 include increasing average life span from the present 71 years to 77 by 2029 and to 85 by 2047. Maternal Mortality Ratio to be reduced from the present 45 to less than 25 by 2029 and under 5 by 2047. Infant Mortality Rate to be reduced from 24 to under 14 and below 2 during these periods. Pregnant women with anemia to be brought down from present 34% to below 25 and 4 by 2047. Out of Pocket Expenditure for health shall be reduced from the present high of 64% to below 15% and finally to below 5% by 2047," the minister added.
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