BY RAHUL KOUL
HEALTHCARE MUST BE GIVEN A PRIORITY IT DESERVES
In a detailed conversation with the BioVoice News , one of the India ’ s finest radiology expert , the ever-smiling Dr Harsh Mahajan gave insightful responses to the pointed questions on trends in diagnostics , policy issues and overall state of healthcare in India . Read the excerpts below :
BY RAHUL KOUL
What are the latest trends in the radiology and imaging in India ?
Trends in India are the same as rest of the world . No longer is India lagging as it used to be in the past . We are contemporary with the international standards .
When I came back to India after finishing my education , I saw that there was no magnetic resonance machine ( MRI ) machine . That is when we installed the first one in 1991 even when there was none in the country , not even in AIIMS . We later brought functional MRI to India . Technology advancements are a part of human quest for excellence .
Technology brings lot many changes . In last 25 years , I have witnessed a lot of technology upgradation . Infact it is amazing that the medical technologies are fast being compared to mobiles whose latest versions come within no time . These days the patients are much aware than the past . The smart phones are transmitting knowledge at a bigger scale than we can think . Market forces also play a role in shaping the industry . Apart from that the staff at diagnostic centres plays an important role in the entire experience as it changes the perception of patients .
How do you look at the state of healthcare in India ? Has anything changed over last few decades ?
The primary healthcare is still an issue that India is grappling with . Infact , it is still lagging behind despite all our policies . Preventive health is not fully developed . Lack of potable water is also leading to disease in many rural areas . Communicable disease are again being tackled . Prevention is better than cure . Focus on preventive healthcare is an issue . Pollution and environmental factors are leading to our maximum health concerns .
Is the diagnostic technology really of help when the awareness levels among patients are not enough ?
The holistic approach to the technology is necessary . The technology in isolation means little . While it is easy to procure , and install any new
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