“Healthcare is a Human Right”
Dr R V Asokan, recently appointed as the National President of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), brings a steadfast commitment to improving healthcare in India. With a distinguished record in medicine and leadership roles within the IMA, he embodies persistence and dedication, aiming to advance medical practices and policies for the betterment of all. In an exclusive interview with Double Helical, Dr Asokan unveiled the Health Manifesto—a comprehensive blueprint aimed at addressing the critical health challenges confronting India.…
Dr R V Asokan, a practicing General Physician operating a 43-bedded hospital in Punalur, a small town in the Kollam district of Kerala State, has a distinguished record within the medical community. He served as the IMA State Secretary of Kerala for three years, subsequently becoming its State President.
One of Dr Asokan’s significant contributions was the conception and establishment of IMAGE, the biomedical waste project of the IMA Kerala State Branch, spanning 26 acres of land in Palakkad. Additionally, he facilitated a Rs 100 crore Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (GFATM) public-private mix project for the IMA and served as its National Coordinator for six years. Dr Asokan also served as a member of STAG (TB) in WHO-Geneva (Strategy and Technical Advisory Group). Furthermore, he held the position of National Secretary of the IMA Hospital Board of India for four years before assuming its chairmanship for another four years.
Hailing from Punalur, Kollam district, Kerala, Dr Asokan completed his MBBS degree and pursued MD in General Medicine. His leadership roles within the IMA at both state and national levels underscore his commitment to advancing medical practices and policies.
“While acknowledging the achievements in healthcare, this manifesto identifies major shortcomings in India’s health policies and proposes remedial actions to confront current and emerging challenges.”
Recognising his contributions, Dr Asokan was appointed Chairman of the Action Committee, which spearheaded the struggle against some implications of the National Medical Commission (NMC). Recently assuming office as the National President and Honorary Secretary General of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), he unveiled the Health Manifesto—a comprehensive blueprint aimed at addressing the critical health challenges confronting the nation.
Dr Asokan emphasised that the IMA, representing doctors practicing modern medicine in India, boasts a membership of 367,774, making it one of the largest professional organisations globally. He stressed the organisation’s commitment to ensuring healthcare providers possess the latest scientific knowledge and uphold evidence-based practices.
Regarding the Health Manifesto, Dr. Asokan stated, “While acknowledging the achievements in healthcare, this manifesto identifies major shortcomings in India’s health policies and proposes remedial actions to confront current and emerging challenges. It aligns with the principles of Universal Health Coverage and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aiming to guide policymakers in delivering optimal healthcare solutions.”
The IMA advocates for increased public expenditure on healthcare to improve infrastructure and human resources, emphasising the need for universal healthcare coverage. He further elaborated, “The manifesto, crafted through extensive consultations, reflects frontline healthcare workers’ experiences and aims to address disparities in healthcare access. Despite resource constraints, it strikes a balance between visionary goals and pragmatic approaches, focusing on short to medium-term impacts while addressing long-term challenges.”
Dr Asokan envisions the manifesto as instrumental in shaping policies that prioritise the current and future healthcare needs of the nation. While not exhaustive, it identifies priority areas necessitating immediate action to enhance health outcomes and ensure a healthy future for all citizens.
“As President of IMA, I recognise the imperative for equitable, accessible, and affordable healthcare for all segments of society. The manifesto underscores the need for empathetic and responsive health policies,” he emphasised.
Highlighting the IMA’s contributions, Dr Asokan mentioned the organisation’s proactive response during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the establishment of a nationwide helpline that received over two million calls. The IMA distributed essential healthcare equipment and food supplies through its 1700 branches and provided helpline services for doctors. Tragically, over 2000 doctors lost their lives to COVID-19 while serving on the frontlines.
Reflecting on past initiatives, Dr Asokan recalled the IMA’s efforts in HIV/AIDS sensitisation in 1993, a time marked by limited knowledge, treatment options, and widespread fear and discrimination. The IMA’s HIV sensitisation program, in collaboration with the Clinton Foundation, trained nearly 400,000 healthcare personnel and partnered with NACO to prevent mother-to-child transmission. The organisation’s engagement in tuberculosis elimination since 1997, supported by Global Fund initiatives, is recognised internationally as a cost-effective and successful model, impacting over 234,377 doctors through training programs and workshops.
Dr Asokan underscored his commitment to serving humanity while upholding the integrity and honour of the medical profession. He acknowledges the manifold responsibilities accompanying his position, including ensuring legal protection and addressing both personal and professional concerns on behalf of doctors. He emphasised the Indian IMA’s dedication to advancing public health, aiming to establish public health centres such as blood banks and cancer treatment hospitals to enhance healthcare delivery.
Violence against doctors and healthcare practitioners in India has emerged as a growing concern, with approximately one in two doctors experiencing violence in public hospitals on average. This phenomenon is more prevalent in healthcare settings compared to other industries and can manifest in various forms. Root causes include patient dissatisfaction, rising healthcare costs, unrealistic expectations, and understaffing, compounded by a lack of formal dispute resolution mechanisms and low health literacy among the population.
Dr Asokan noted that healthcare violence is a global issue, often stemming from ignorance about diseases and treatment options. Mob mentality exacerbates the problem, placing additional strain on hospital staff. Communication gaps, staff shortages, and inadequate security measures within hospitals further contribute to the risk of violence. Dr Asokan stressed the need for transparent institutional policies and government action plans to ensure the safety of medical professionals.
Driven by a vision of equitable healthcare access as a human right, Dr Asokan advocates for the implementation of public health centres and initiatives to tackle pressing health challenges. He urged political leaders to prioritise healthcare in their agendas, citing the meagre 2.1% GDP expenditure on healthcare as a pressing concern.
Dr Asokan’s leadership embodies the ethos of persistence and dedication, striving for continuous improvement within the medical community and advocating for policies that prioritise equitable healthcare access and quality outcomes.