First-ever conversation with the Hon’ble Prime Minister for the new year finds sparing mention of health and pollution

“Would have been encouraging to see the topics being addressed considering the larger scheme of things”

New Delhi,  January 02, 2019:

The Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi gave his very first interview for the year 2019 on 1^st of January. All eyes and ears were on him to understand what he will speak of and address as a volley of questions was thrown at him. At a time when there is speculation about faith being lost in the party and its people, he answered every question with calm and composure expected from the leader of a country.

While there was talk on a plethora of issues from GST to the likely party to come to power, health, healthcare, and pollution seemed to be absent from the overall scheme of things. Barring a small mention of Ayushman Bharat and the fact that it is not a failure, these topics were not discussed in much detail.

Speaking about this, Padma Shri Awardee, Dr KK Aggarwal, President, HCFI, said, “In the approximately 90-minute conversation on the first day of the new year with the hon’ble prime minister, there was hardly any discussion on health – either by the ANI or the leader himself. While there was talk about political violence, violence against doctors was not mentioned. Economic health gained prominence but not health as such. Harm prevention and reduction due to pollution did not feature in the 90-minute agenda either. I strongly feel that health, healthcare, and pollution could have been given prominence as well, as issues of national importance.”

Adding further, Dr Aggarwal, who is also the Group Editor-in-Chief of IJCP, said, “I feel it would have been better if the various aspects of health and access to quality and affordable healthcare, as also how to combat pollution (both indoor and outdoor) were addressed in detail. The schemes put in place are definitely beneficial but need a more proactive approach for them to be availed by the larger population. Health problems due to pollution are a very serious issue and this needs to be given a lot of thought too.”