Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam was a visionary and a man of great ideas. Ideas that transcended across professions, industries and economic strata. In his book “India 2020 – A Vision for the New Millennium” the former President speaks about many issues the country has.  There is one key area his vision covered- healthcare.

Here’s Dr. Kalam’s Vision 2020 for doctors and how Dr. Kalam would’ve spoken today if he were alive, eyes full of hope and arms waving energetically as he would’ve poetically put it-

Universal health India must have; that’s the future test!

Build a system to prevent diseases, that’s the best;

Asthma, diabetes and gene disorders can’t be cured but let’s help those people live,

Some relief and normalcy those poor souls give.

Prevent Diseases

Let no water stand stagnant or mosquitoes spread disease,

Let diets stay balanced, world’s 25% visually impaired in India no more! Cease.

Heart healthy rule –let all exercise and eat healthy too!

 Primary Health Centres

The rich will pay for hospices with linen sheets and personal care;

While the poor lay suffering in despair,

Waiting on these to clear – bureaucracy, supplies lacking and medicos too;

Let’s talk preventive healthcare, and make work environments clean,

Handling human and industrial wastes with systems proper and lean;

Let’s not be ignorant and build walls to hide the filth and reality,

Medical care isn’t just treatment it’s about social solutions too, that’s the magical duality!

Health for All!

Let’s inoculate, vaccinate, immunize, health check and treat everyone well;

Making it affordable! That’s the goal…Cost less, isn’t such a hard sell,

Insurance and social security umbrellas work in tandem can make this a reality;

It’s not easy but that’s the test of a nation’s grit…true personality!

I’m happy some doctors help the poor and lower their fees…even work for free!

These are challenges I know, but one that’s good to have,

Let’s make the systems work, help people and grow as ONE;

Make India healthy, well and Asia’s rising sun!

Diseases

The pre-natal, maternal and paternal disease poses dangers;

TB, AIDS, vector borne ones and diarrhoea are ever present no strangers,

Doctors, you’re invaluable as you can see – in reducing these;

Disease of a developing nation, you’ve the power to push down and control…cease!

You must fight the war with TB with research and treatment methods for the masses;

Don’t forget AIDS- blood transfusions, screening and make the community aware,

Gastro-intest disorders challenge further but I know you’re resilient…lead the good fight!

Never lose the purpose – Healthy India 2020.  I know you see…its close… just within reach;

Vaccines are your weapon! Strive and build these astras to combat and shorten your war!

But again, there’s a challenge to store them and keep them safe…cold storage woes;

MNCs make them expensive, so let’s make them cheaper;keep our people safe!

Non-infectious Diseases

While we’re a developing nation we carry developed nation diseases too!

Coronary and neuro-diseases rage rampant in our modern families;

But we have Kalam-Raju stent like inventions to keep hopes alive!

Diabetes, vision impairment and cancer rage in our cities

But treatments rise up too and counter these scourges!

You, oh Doctor can make solutions in India, lower the cost;

We are a nation of a billion strong, ideas galore..we are not lost!

Maternal and Child Care

Our nation’s mothers and children are our future

Let’s care for their health and build a nation strong!

Breakthrough tech and inventions should be the new war cry and victory song;

Even as I conclude, I remind you why I said the above;

Vision 2020 is achievable…but I need your help to make this nation..

Live, breathe deeply and think clearly…smile a robust pink smile!

I say to you, “My children. Go to all parts of the country, particularly beyond…and remove the pain of body and mind. Indeed a health mission is ahead of you. My best wishes!”

Dr. Kalam’s words are crystal clear. A call to doctors to lead the charge in create a healthy and secure India by 2020. As we mourn his loss, his idea lives with us. Let us make it our personal mission to do our best and make it a reality! Let our doctor’s oaths come to mind and be charged by this great soul’s thoughts and ever present blessings bestowed on us.

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