The Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has indicated that the centre will soon launch a unified National Health Mission to ensure all round development of the country’s health care system. Delivering the convocation address of the Jawarharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research in Puducherry today, he said the successful implementation of the National Rural Health Mission in the last seven years has yielded results as health indicators have improved at primary and secondary levels.

Stating that much more needs to be done as there is a large unfinished agenda of providing affordable healthcare for all, the Prime Minister said the centre has decided to continue the National Rural Health Mission for the next five years. He said a new National Urban Health Mission will be launched shortly in order to focus on the health challenges in towns and cities.

Referring to deteriorating standards in Medical Education, the Prime Minister said there is a need to take a serious look at the curriculum for medical education so that doctors are trained to look at health in a holistic manner that goes beyond a narrow clinical and technology-driven approach.

Dr Manmohan Singh said the centre would extend all support to the Union territory to develop Puducherry as a hub for higher and professional Education. He also urged the Puducherry government to explore the possibility of developing eco-friendly tourism.

Union Health Minister Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad, Union Minister of State in PMO Mr V.Narayansamy, Lt Governor Iqbal Singh, Chief Minister Mr N.Rangaswamy attendedthe function.

Union Minister for Health Mr Gulam Nabi Azad in his address said that the government had taken a number of steps to increase the availability of health care professionals in the country. He said the centre has accorded sanction to 66 New medical colleges in the last 3 years.

The Minister said the government will turn its focus on the emerging challenge of non communicable diseases which has not been addressed so far.