Pics: Spoorthi Ullal / Ramesh Pandith
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JD)

Mangaluru, Dec 9: "The doctors and other medical professionals must not consider their sector as a money-making one. Instead, service must be their only intention," said Ramesh Kumar, health and family welfare minister.

He was addressing the gathered after inaugurating Wenlock ambulance response service, Jana Sanjeevini generic medical store, integrated AYUSH special treatment unit, outpatient X-ray department and renovated cell ward for undertrials at the district Wenlock hospital here on Friday December 9.

"Aspiring medical professionals must think many times before entering the health sector. They must have dispassion for wealth and other benefits. They must not consider it as a money-making business.

"A human being can neither create life nor has the right to take it away. If a life is lost due to the negligence of a doctor or a medical professional, then it is a graver crime than murder. We must give the best to the patients as government hospitals are the only hope for the lacs of poor in the state," Ramesh Kumar said.

"Mother Teresa and Florence Nightingale are remembered for their service. They are the other names for patience, dedication, and service. The biggest medicine a medical professional can give to the patients is a smiling face. When you speak to the patient with a smiling face half of the disease vanishes away. This must be the attitude of every medical professional," he said.

"We started the generic medicine store with the help of the union government for the benefit of the people and to control the skyrocketing pharmaceutical industry. There are a few medicines available for prices at up to 98% lesser than retail. The common people must make the most of this facility," he urged.

In his presidential address, MLA J R Lobo promised the minister that the hospital would make the most of the facilities provided. "This is a red-letter day for Wenlock hospital. The impending problems of many years including the issues of the nursing hostel, upgrading the district Wenlock hospital as a regional hospital and providing many other long awaited facilities are being fulfilled. I hope this hospital will become a temple of health."

Principal secretary of the health department Dr Shalini Rajaneesh, director of family welfare and health services Dr P L Nataraj, district surgeon Dr Rajeshwari Devi, district health officer Dr Ramakrishna and others were present.