Prez for out-of-the-box managerial reforms in health sector

Emphasising on decentralisation of planning and implementation of healthcare to grassroot level, President Pranab Mukherjee today called for "out-of- the-box" managerial and administrative reforms in health sector.
"Progress in health sector is key to India's future prominence in the world. A nation's productivity depends on the health and well-being of its citizens...We need out-of- the-box managerial and administrative reforms in health departments at the states and central level," he said.
Mukherjee was speaking at the 33rd annual convocation of the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) here.
"We need health professionals to spearhead public health programmes. We need to develop effective models of healthcare for the ever increasing urban population," he said in his 15-minute speech.

Mukherjee said public health system must be greatly expanded and strengthened across the nation.
"There is a need to decentralise planning and implementation of healthcare to district and sub-district levels. We need to take health services closer to people. Even a primary health centre is too far by today's standard and need," he said.
The President also emphasised on cooperation between public and private sectors in achieving health goals.
"The government, singularly, cannot be a provider of healthcare...We should look at ways to encourage cooperation between public and private sectors in achieving the health goals," he said.