Address by Governor at the inauguration of the 50th Annual Conference of the Urological Society of India at Navi Mumbai

Address by Shri CH Vidyasagar Rao, Governor of Maharashtra at the inauguration of the 50th Annual Conference of the Urological Society of India at CIDCO Exhibition Centre, Navi Mumbai on 18th January 2017

Dr Rajeev Sood, President of the Urology Society of India, Dr. P.N.Dogra, President-Elect, Dr. D Ramesh, Secretary of the Urology Society of India, Dr. Umesh Oza, Organizing Chairman of the Golden Jubilee Conference – USICON, Dr Anil Bradoo, Organizing Secretary of the Conference, members of the Organizing Committee and various Committees, delegates, invitees, ladies and gentlemen,

I am delighted to be with you at this landmark meeting and I welcome all the delegates to Maharashtra and to Navi Mumbai on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee Conference of the Urology Society of India.

I congratulate the Urology Society of India for its outstanding services and immeasurable contributions to the health and well-being of the people of India.

This is an occasion to remember the stalwarts who built the organization and gave it a definite direction. This is also a moment to remember all those who nurtured the Society to this glorious day.

An occasion like this affords us an opportunity to take stock of what we have achieved so far and what are the challenges for the society and for the profession.

During the last fifty years, the speciality of Urology has witnessed mindboggling changes. Technology has altered the way problems are diagnosed, operated and cured.

Among all medical specialities and super-specialities, I find that Urology has remained in the forefront of adapting to change; be it adopting technological advances such as Robotic Surgery, laproscopic surgery, laser-assisted surgery, minimum invasive surgery or others. The credit has to go to each one of you.

However, we have to go a long way in reaching out to every needy and suffering person who needs your specialized care. At a time when India is making serious efforts to break into the league of developed nations, it is imperative that we have the best healthcare infrastructure for all our people, which is both uniformly accessible, affordable and excellent. In other words, we need democratic decentralization of quality healthcare.

We must be mindful of the fact that a majority of our people are poor or come from the lower middle class. A large majority of these people do not have medical insurance. For a country of the size, diversity, disparity and complexity like India, we need low cost innovation in health care.

I will appeal to this gathering of the best brains in Urology to think of the last person in the socio-economic ladder when you practise the art and science of your speciality. We must not forget the vision of the founding fathers when they created the Urology Society of India. Let the suffering patient be at the centre of your planning, discussion, innovation and research.

Abiding with ethics is an absolute necessity if high standards are to be maintained. The medical profession is not just a 24 X 7 commitment, but it is a profession of giving and caring.

For a doctor, a sense of compassion is as important as his or her professional and technical skills. For the patient, a good doctor is not only an aid-giver, but also a friend.

Hippocrates, who is considered as the Father of Medicine wrote way back in the 5th Century BC that, “some patients, though conscious that their condition is perilous, recover their health simply through their contentment with the goodness of the physician.”

I would urge doctors and surgeons to follow the highest standards of medical ethics, so as to maintain the reputation of the medical profession, of being a service to humankind.

Indian doctors enjoy an excellent reputation all over the world. Nobody can beat them when it comes to clinical experience. By treating millions of patients, they have developed exceptional skills and gained rare insights in the diagnosis, management and treatment of various diseases. I do feel that this experience must translate into better research and innovation to create a healthier and happier India.

Distinguished Delegates,

I am reminded of a mythological story, which was narrated to me by a Urologist !

As the preparations for the great Mahabharat War were being made, both the Kauravas and the Pandavas were trying to get the support of Lord Krishna.

One day, both Duryodhana and Dharmaraj Yudhishthira went to Krishna.

When Duryodhana reached Lord Krishna’s palace, Krishna was taking a nap.

So Duryodhana went and took a seat beside his head and waited for Krishna to wake up.

At the same time, Dharmaraja Yudhishthira also came to Krishna.

Yudhishthira was very humble and sat near Krishna’s feet.

When Krishna woke up, he first saw Dharmaraja Yudhishthira because he was sitting at the feet. He didn’t notice Duryodhana, who was sitting towards the head.

The point I wish to say is that you cannot ignore the lower part of your body !! As Urologists, you deal with the important organs of human body.

In your war against Urological problems, you must take the help of modern technology, research and innovation to ease the pain and the suffering of the poor.

Secondly, lifestyle diseases, particularly diabetes and hypertension are causing a great havoc in our country posing serious challenge to public health. Diabetes is creating complications for many other organs including kidneys. I do feel that this gathering must think of a strategy to deal with the menace of diabetes so as to reduce the suffering of the people.

Kidney transplant has become a double-edged weapon. There are many people who are waiting for kidney transplants. But the doctors are in a fix because of legal issues.

I think, in the larger interest of patients, you must find a solution. You must advice the government on simplifying legal procedures so that patients are not kept waiting.

There is a huge demand for dialysis treatment in our country. The Government of India has announced launching of the National Dialysis Programme to be implemented in district hospitals in partnership with the private sector. I do feel that the Urological Society of India should advice the government on how to implement the programme effectively.

As urologists, you play a stellar role in creating awareness and motivating people about organ donation. Maharashtra has an excellent track record in this. I am told, Maharashtra is the second-best state – next only to Tamil Nadu – in carrying out cadaveric transplants. The Urological Society must organize expert talks to create awareness about urological problems and also promote organ donation in society.

It is heartening to know that the Society has included poor patients in its Golden Jubilee celebrations – by conducting free checkup camps and operations in various parts of India. I am sure, USICON will provide an excellent platform to all stakeholders to exchange knowledge and ideas, and to showcase and learn of recent technological advances which will eventually benefit the people of India and humanity at large.

With these words, I congratulate the Society and to each one of you on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee Conference. May you collectively and individually continue to excel and raise the bar of public health in India.

Thank you

Jai Hind! Jai Maharashtra !!