Department of Public Administration

The Association of British Scholars (ABS), Chandigarh Chapter in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) Punjab and Chandigarh (UT) Regional Branch and the Department of Public Administration, Panjab University, Chandigarh  organized a Special Lecture on Minimum Medicines, Maximum Health by Dr. Ram Kumar, Convener, Society for Promotion of Ethical & Affordable Healthcare (SPEAK) on August 04, 2018 in the Seminar Room of the Department of Public Administration, Arts Block III,  First Floor, Panjab University, Chandigarh.

Professor B.S. Ghuman, Vice-Chancellor, Punjabi University, Patiala, President ABS, Chandigarh and Honorary Secretary, IIPA Punjab and Chandigarh (UT) Regional Branch presided over the lecture, welcomed the guests and introduced the speaker. Professor Ghuman, while introducing the theme opined that health and education sectors have not been provided much attention at the individual level as well as by policy makers. It has resulted in information asymmetry among the citizens and especially in health sector has led people to choose medicines of their own which had adversely affected their health.

Dr Ram Kumar during his special lecture began with sharing live examples exemplifying the effects of maximum medicines leading to minimum health.   Dr Kumar discussed the neglect of health issues at three levels, namely, government, doctors and individuals. While discussing the role of the government, Dr Kumar shared that not only the budgetary allocation to health sector is less but the allocation is also not steered towards preventive health measures and primary health care. At the levels of the doctors, the commercialization of the health care sector remains a serious issues and has been highlighted by many instances from time to time. Dr Kumar stated that health issues are normally neglected by individuals and are not brought to the notice of the right doctors at the right time.

Dr Kumar also highlighted that many diseases now a days emanate from our life style in which we have accorded less importance to aspects related to water, air, food, sleep, sunshine, peace of mind, increasing use of technology, and happiness. For living healthy life style, Dr Kumar prescribed to eat in moderation, exercise regularly, sleep well for 7-8 hours, shun junk food, meditate and say no to drugs of all kind.

The lecture was followed by healthy discussion in which Dr Sanjeev Ranjan, Sh, G.S. Pandher, Dr Ranjeet, Prof. A.K. Kapoor, Mr Luther, Ms Harsimran Kaur, Ms Veronica and Ms Sukhpreet participated. The lecture was attended in large numbers by members of ABS, IIPA Regional Branch, faculty members of Department of Public Administration and other Departments of PU, researchers and students. Sh. Harish Sethi, Vice-President, ABS Chandigarh Chapter proposed the vote of thanks.