Bhubaneswar, Aug 25 : Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Saturday said that every doctor should serve at least 3 years in rural areas before getting a promotion.

"It should be made mandatory for young doctors to serve at least 3 years in rural areas before getting promotion," Naidu told the first convocation ceremony of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhubaneswar.

He said there was a need to increase the number of doctors available at healthcare centres in rural areas as the absence of qualified medical practitioners was making people approach quacks.

"We need to overcome the acute shortage of healthcare providers as also the infrastructure in rural areas," he added. Naidu also stressed on the need to increase the number of medical colleges.

The Vice President said medical education curriculum had to be constantly updated, by including the latest developments and methods of treatment.

"Doctors must be trained to be more sensitive towards the sufferings of the patients and their families and should provide the healing touch with effective communication. There can be no greater service than restoring fellow human beings to good health," he said.

Naidu said schemes such as 'Ayushman Bharat Yojana' or the National Health Protection Scheme would be a game-changer in terms of accessing healthcare services in India.

Speaking on girls' education, he said: "Who says women can do nothing? Given an opportunity they can do wonders. Girls are outperforming boys."

Speaking at the event, Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said the institution was growing fast and hopes rare surgeries, which are now carried out at AIIMS Delhi, would soon be conducted at AIIMS Bhubaneswar.

He said it would be a befitting tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee if his statue was installed in the premises of AIIMS here.

Notably, Vajpayee had laid the foundation stone of the hospital here in 2003. Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda said AIIMS Bhubaneswar provided treatment to over 5 lakh patients last year.



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Yadgir (Karnataka) (PTI): Authorities have seized 46 domestic LPG cylinders that were allegedly being used for commercial purposes in hotels during a special inspection drive in the city, officials said on Friday.

The cylinders were seized on Thursday by officials of the Food and Civil Supplies Department after inspecting several hotels, they said.

Deputy Commissioner Harshal Bhoyar told PTI that the domestic cylinders were being used for commercial activities instead of household cooking, which violates the Essential Commodities Act and LPG supply rules.

"In total, 46 such LPG cylinders meant for domestic use that were diverted for commercial usage were seized during the special drive.

He urged residents not to panic about a shortage of domestic LPG in the district," he said.

Bhoyar said the administration will continue such special drives to check the illegal use of LPG cylinders and strict action will be taken if cylinders meant for household use are diverted.

He also said efforts are being made to ensure smooth supply of LPG cylinders for domestic use and discussions are underway with distributors.

He assured the public that the situation is under control and there is adequate supply to meet household demand.