BANGALORE: United Kingdom is eager to collaborate in primary and community healthcare sector in India. With India's 12th five-year plan emphasizing on universal healthcare, the country feels it has a lot to offer.
MP and British health minister (UK Parliamentary under secretary of state for public health) Anna Soubry, visited Bangalore as part of her India visit to explore opportunities for increased collaboration on primary healthcare.
She visited Narayana Hrudayalaya Hospital, Biocon and met Karnataka health minister Aravinda Limbavali, as she said there was a wealth of healthcare opportunities in the state.
"UK is committed to a deeper, wide ranging partnership with India. UK has a deep expertise in health. I am here to ensure the partnership," she told reporters here on Wednesday. Referring to the universal healthcare in the 12th five-year plan, she said "It's an admirable aim. The numbers offered healthcare is staggering. Deliver of primary healthcare is a big task."
In the area of health, the Indo-UK research partnerships are now worth over 75 million pounds.
The minister, who was amazed by the sheer volumes involved in healthcare, felt India was a natural partner for her country. "It's quite amazing to know so much is happening here. I am here to listen, learn and take it back to the UK. Between the two of us, there's lot to learn and offer each other. We are seeing the new beginning. And India is a natural partner to work together because we have worked in the past," she said.
Giving the example of diabetes as an example for one of the areas for collaboration, she explained how both countries are struggling to fight the problem. "Teenagers in the UK are having a problem. There are 3.9 million people with diabetes in our country," she said.
Anna Soubry met Karnataka health minister Aravinda Limbavali and discussed the possible collaborations. "It was about what we can do and what can Karnataka do. It is to explore business opportunities between the state and the UK, especially in primary healthcare," she said.
British deputy high commissioner in Bangalore Ian Felton said "Whether it's working more closely on training healthcare professionals, sharing expertise on genetic data or building trade in the life sciences, we are here and committed to working with the best Bangalore has to offer."
The UK minister was fascinated by Narayana Hrudayalaya. It is extremely efficient and a lot cheaper. The volume of cardiac operations is absolutely remarkable," she exclaimed.
OBESITY IS A PROBLEM
Obesity and over-weight are the problems the United Kingdom is facing. British health minister (UK parliamentary under secretary of state for public health) Anna Soubry said 60% of the population had problems of obesity or over-weight. By 11 years, 1/3 rdof the children in the country become overweight or obese," she said. The minister attributed the problem to the over-consumption of wrong foods. It's very, very sad," she said.
UK keen to collaborate in India's primary healthcare
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UK keen to collaborate in India's primary healthcare
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UK keen to collaborate in India's primary healthcare
