SPEAK India held its Health Conclave-cum-Biennial Awards function in Chandigarh

Ludhiana, March 4, 2019: The Society For Promotion of Ethical and Affordable Healthcare (SPEAK) India held its Health Conclave cum Biennial Awards function in APC Auditorium of P.G.I, Chandigarh on 3rd March 2019. The Honorable Judge of Punjab & Haryana High Court, Justice A.K Mittal was the chief guest on this occasion. The main objectives of the health conclave were to advise a protocol for interventions (actions taken to improve a medical disorder) in various specialties so that unethical investigations (tests)/ interventions can be curtailed and medical treatment can be made more affordable. This can also help to improve Ayushman Bharat Scheme. Another objective of the Conclave was to honor eminent and ethical doctors/hospitals in order to send a message across the country that we can usher in ‘Healthy India’ only if we make medical care ethical and affordable.

In order to achieve these objectives, The Society For Promotion of Ethical and Affordable Healthcare (SPEAK) had invited top doctors working ethically in different medical specialties all over the country for this program. About ten doctors from various medical specialties spoke on the occasion to lay down protocols for clinical tests and surgical interventions so that unethical practices and wasteful spending on healthcare can be curbed. The recommendations of these specialist doctors will be sent to the Government of India (GOI) and the write-ups will be published on the website of SPEAK.

During the awards function, Mohandai Oswal Hospital (MOH), Ludhiana was awarded a silver medal in recognition of its charitable and ethical practices. Dr. Gurinderjit Singh, Medical Superintendent of Mohandai Oswal Hospital, received the award on behalf of the hospital. SPEAK asked Dr. Gurinderjit Singh, Head of the Department of Skin & Venereal Diseases of Oswal Hopital, Ludhiana to elaborate the charitable and ethical practices adopted by their hospital. The renowned Dermatologist told the people present in the health conclave that the mission of Oswal Hospital is to make world-class healthcare accessible and affordable for the people of Punjab.

Addressing a gathering of about 150 eminent people, Dr. Gurinderjit Singh stated, “MOH was started in 1984 to provide affordable and comprehensive cancer treatment to the people of Punjab under one roof. Later on, the hospital started affordable facilities in the fields of General Medicine, General & Laparoscopic Surgery, Orthopedics, Gynecology & Obstetrics, Pediatrics, Skin & V.D, T.B & Chest, Gastroenterology and Neurosurgery also”.

Dr. Gurinderjit Singh informed, “MOH is empanelled with all major Public sector insurance schemes like ESIC, Ex- Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) and Mukh Mantri Punjab Cancer Rahat Kosh Scheme (MMPCRKS) so that patients, who are insured under these schemes can avail the hospital facilities without any burden on their pockets.”

He added, “The hospital, which is NABH accredited since 2018, regularly conducts free medical check-up camps in and around the city for the welfare of the masses. These camps are conducted by doctors of different departments like Medicine, Surgery, Orthopedics, Eyes, Endocrinology, Cancer Surgery and Psychiatry. MOH has two Mobile Medical Vans equipped with all important facilities. These Mobile Medical Vans are used during medical camps in order to provide on the spot medical facilities to patients. Patients from poor economic strata, who require further treatment in the hospital, are given special concessions and discounts.”

SPEAK had constituted a high level jury to select individuals and institutions to confer awards of excellence, out of those nominated by its Board of Adviser