Private sector, NGOs should help governments with rural healthcare: Naidu

Hyderabad, Nov 5 (IANS) The private sector and NGOs should supplement the efforts to provide better healthcare in rural areas as governments alone cannot meet the growing healthcare demands in these areas, Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu said on Sunday.

Inaugurating a mega health camp at Swarna Bharat Trust at Vijayawada, he expressed concern at the lack of adequate health infrastructure in rural areas, pointing out that as against the World Health Organisation (WHO) norm of one doctor per 1,000 population, there is one doctor per 1,700 persons in India.

He also urged the Central and the state governments to focus on improving healthcare services in rural and backward areas.

Naidu cautioned people against falling prey to illnesses caused by modern and sedentary lifestyles, caused by lack of physical activity and modern dietary habits, and urged them to ndertake physical activities like walking, jogging, cycling and yoga to lead a healthy life.

He appealed the medical fraternity to educate and create awareness on the dangers of modern lifestyle diseases and the need to adopt preventive measures.

The Vice President lamented that inadequate facilities at some government hospitals was forcing people to go to private hospitals for treatment.

Andhra Pradesh Health and Medical Education Minister Kamineni Srinivas and Water Resources Minister Devineni Uma Maheswara Rao were also present at the event.