Law Minister Harichandan Praises Argus For Odisha Health Connect Season-III, An Awareness Initiative

Bhubaneswar, Nov 11: In a bid to aware the people of Odisha, Argus, on November 9, had organised a mega conclave -- 'Odisha Health Connect Season-III'.

Prithviraj Harichandan, Minister of Law, Works & Excise, inaugurated the conclave. Addressing the audience, he said that people in rural areas mostly get tensed if they hear about three diseases -- high blood pressure, Diabetis and cancer. "Not only health services, but awareness about health and diseases is necessary," said Harichandan.

The Law Minister also said that we may see the number of old people may surpass the number of youths by the year 2036 comes. "At that time, geriatric treatment may become a major issue for us," said Prithviraj Harichandan, adding: "Odisha Govt is trying to make the state a 'health destination'."

Odisha Health Secretary Aswathy S., who also graced the conclave with her presence, said that the government has set deadlines for themselves -- Viksit Odisha by 2036 and Viksit India by 2047.

The ICMR Director Sanghamitra Pati, on the other hand, has said that the health service isn't single person's job, rather it's a team work. Dr. Gautam Khanna, CEO, P.D Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research, Mumbai, said that the health service in the state needs talents, technology and infrastructure.

Asit Rath, CEO & M.D, Aviva India and Dr. B.S. Srinath, Managing Trustee, Sri Shankara Cancer Foundation; Dr Subrat Jena, M.S (Ortho), M.Ch (Plastic Surgery) Chairman Ashwini Group of Hospitals; Dr. Ashok Choudhury, Hepatolgist and Transplant Physician, Additional Professor, Institute Of Liver And Biliary Sciences; Sudhansu Adhikari, State Head, Patanjali Yog Peeth, Odisha & Chairman, India Yoga Associatio, Odisha; Biren Das, Eminent Film Producer and Health Awareness Consultant, Dr. Shaktimaya Mohapatra, Director, Manipal Hospital, Bhubaneswar; Kasturi Sengupta, General Manager (Health), National Insurance Co. Ltd. Kolkata; Dr. Pradeep Kumar Patra, V.C, Pt. Deendayal Hospital, Raipur; Subitha Kumar B. Sanum Sanguineas Solutions Pvt. Ltd, and Dr. Shibasish Giri, Endogenous stem cell specialist, University of Leipzig and Technical University of Munich, Germany also graced the conclave with their presence and shared their knowledge and ideas over various topics.

Three key topics -- (1) Odisha As A Destination Next For Advanced Healthcare, (2) Allied Health As A Source Of Employment And Livelihood, and (3) Rural Health Infrastructure –Improvements For A Healthy Nation -- were discussed in the health conclave.

On this occasion, Argus, one of the leading news channels in Odisha, had honoured some personalities, who have made valuable contributions in health sector in recent time as well as over the years.

Kendrapara's Asha worker Sibani Mandal and ambulance driver Manas Mallick were honoured with 'Swaasthya Mitra Award' for their valuable contribution during the time of 'Cyclone Dana'.

Renowned physician, Dr Niraj Mishra, was honoured with the 'Health Legendary Award', while Dr Kishore Chandra Das was honoured with the 'People's Doctor Award'.