SPEECH BY HER EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT OF INDIA, SHRIMATI PRATIBHA DEVISINGH PATIL, AT THE CONVOCATION OF SHER-I-KASHMIR INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL SCIENCES

Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, 23rd May 2008

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It gives me great pleasure to be participating in the Convocation of the Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences in this beautiful city of Srinagar. I am also delighted to be in Jammu and Kashmir on my first visit here since I assumed the office of the President of India last year.

Jammu and Kashmir has for centuries attracted people and enthralled them with its scenic beauty. Kashmir has been described as a 'Paradise on Earth', by countless travelers who through the ages have been here. The beauty of this land is such that the Mughal Emperor, Jehangir described Kashmir in the immortal words,

"Agar firdaus bar ru-e zamin ast,

Hami ast o-hami ast o-hami ast."

(If there is paradise on Earth It is this, it is this, it is this)

The people of Jammu and Kashmir have impressed all with the tolerance and resilience that they have demonstrated over a period of time. I am sure that Jammu and Kashmir with its resources, its potential and the willingness of its people to work hard, will move forward on the path of development, prosperity and peace.

The progress of Jammu and Kashmir is the progress of India. As our nation continues its quest for growth and spreading prosperity, we need to use all means available to achieve this goal. In this regard, there is no doubt that education and health are two such tools, which we must harness. The Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences brings together in one place these two important levers of development. As a deemed University, this institute has been imparting commendable service in medical education and training to a large number of doctors, nurses and paramedics.

Healthy citizens make a healthy nation. For improving the health and, thus, the quality of the lives of our citizens, we need to provide healthcare to the people with a special focus on making health facilities available to those residing in rural areas, especially women, children and the elderly. This requires building a strong health infrastructure along with dedicated doctors, trained nurses and technical manpower. Equally important is the need to have functional health centers, from the level of Primary Health Centres in the rural areas upto speciality hospitals.

The Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences is one of the premier institutes of medical education in the country and is also providing quality patient care. Conceived as a centre of excellence twenty-five years ago, it has emerged as a reputed tertiary care hospital. As a referral centre for the whole of Jammu and Kashmir, this institution has become identified with providing service to the city of Srinagar, the State and the community at large. The Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences has been increasing and strengthening its infrastructure to better serve the people. The bed strength has risen to 600 today, with another 100 beds expected to be commissioned soon. I am informed that everyday, around 2,000 patients are attended to, at the outpatient department and another 200 are looked after at the emergency department. Every month, more than one lakh investigations are carried out. Every year, doctors here perform about 15,000 major and minor surgeries. To meet the growing demand the Institute must seek to modernize, upgrade and expand its existing infrastructure for enhanced disease diagnosis and patient care. At the same time, it should be the endeavor to make affordable healthcare available to the people.

I am happy that you have looked beyond the concept of service to the immediate community, by utilizing modern technology for the establishment of a telemedicine centre. This centre with the help of the Indian Space Research Organization is connected to all reputed hospitals in the country and locally to district hospitals, providing consultation and exchange of expertise.

As I have mentioned earlier, mother and child care are key aspects of health care. Every effort must be made to provide antenatal care to pregnant women and newborn care. There must be a special focus on health, nutrition and complete immunization of children. In this context, I am happy that the Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences will be setting up a 140 bed maternity hospital.

The best health services can only be made available, if medical institutions keep themselves abreast of the latest developments in the medical field. It is a matter of pride that the research work of several doctors of the Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences has been of a very high standard and has been published in International Medical Journals. These activities must continue so as to keep pace with the advances in scientific knowledge in medicine.

The medical profession is a profession of giving. It is a profession where, for the patient a good doctor becomes not only an aid-giver but also a friend. It is for this spirit of giving, that several doctors who have trained here and also in other parts of Jammu and Kashmir have acquired a formidable reputation. I am sure that this will inspire many in the medical fraternity to serve the community better.

My dear young doctors, as you pass through the portals of this Institute this evening after completing your education and step into your profession, I would like you to keep in mind that yours is a noble profession. This Convocation may be the end of your formal education, but not of education and research, as it has been said that learning is a lifelong activity. You must pursue the acquisition of knowledge throughout life and serve humanity. As doctors, wherever you go, faith and trust shall be reposed on you by your patients as well as their relatives. They will look to you with hope. Medicine is an intensely humane and personal endeavor and the doctor-patient relationship itself becomes part of the therapeutic process. Therefore, you must work to keep up this trust.

I am glad that after a difficult period, Jammu and Kashmir is progressing well on the road to development and peace. Wide-ranging initiatives are being implemented to revitalize the state's economy and to build a new peaceful and prosperous Jammu and Kashmir. It is important that the development process is inclusive and covers all parts of the State as well as all sections of the population. The State Government is making every effort to create the conditions for faster development through various schemes and projects. The Government of India, through its centrally sponsored programmes and the Prime Minister's Reconstruction Plan has been a partner in the development efforts of Jammu and Kashmir. The State has tremendous economic potential and its people have immense talent. I am confident that the people of the State of Jammu and Kashmir can look to their future with hope and confidence.

I conclude with wishing success to this Institute and to all the students and the young doctors who have got their degrees today.

Thank You.

JAI HIND