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. 2015 Oct-Dec;4(4):479-82.
doi: 10.4103/2249-4863.174262.

Healthcare is primary

Raman Kumar  1
Affiliations

Healthcare is primary

Raman Kumar. J Family Med Prim Care. 2015 Oct-Dec.

Abstract

India is undergoing a rapid transformation in terms of governance, administrative reforms, newer policy develoment, and social movements. India is also considered one of the most vibrant economies in the world. The current discourse in public space is dominated by issues such as economic development, security, corruption free governance, gender equity, and women safety. Healthcare though remains a pressing need of population; seems to have taken a backseat. In the era of decreasing subsidies and cautious investment in social sectors, the 2(nd) National Conference on Family Medicine and Primary Care 2015 (FMPC) brought a focus on "healthcare" in India. The theme of this conference was "Healthcare is Primary." The conference participants discussed on the theme of why healthcare should be a national priority and why strong primary care should remain at the center of healthcare delivery system. The experts recommended that India needs to strengthen the "general health system" instead of focusing on disease based vertical programs. Public health system should have capacity and skill pool to be able to deliver person centered comprehensive health services to the community. Proactive implementation of policies towards human resource in health is the need of the hour. As the draft National Health Policy 2015 is being debated, "family medicine" (academic primary care), the unfinished agenda of National Health Policy 2002, remains a priority area of implementation.

Keywords: Citizen forum; family medicine; healthcare; medical education; primary health.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Citizen forum - Run for family health: Physical activity for all family members. Launch by legend and national sporting hero Mr. Milkha Singh
Figure 2
Figure 2
Union minister for Health and Family Welfare Mr. J. P. Nadda delivering the inaugural speech at 2nd National Conference of Family Medicine and Primary Care (2015)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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