Healthcare, education beyond people's reach, commercialised: Bhagwat
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Indore: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief
Mohan Bhagwat
on Sunday said that access to quality healthcare and education has become unaffordable and out of reach for common man due to commercialisation.
Speaking at inauguration of Madhav Srishti Arogya Kendra in Indore, established by the philanthropic organisation Guruji Seva Nyas for affordable cancer treatment, Bhagwat emphasised the essential role of these services in today's society.
"These (good healthcare and education) facilities have become essential for everyone in society today. A healthy body can achieve anything, while an unhealthy body can only wish.
Unfortunately, both of these services are out of reach and beyond the financial means of the common man," he said.
Bhagwat said that although hospitals and schools are increasing and there is progress in facilities, these services are not reaching the general public.
"Earlier, work in the fields of healthcare and education was done out of service but now they have got commercialised," he added.
He advocated that individuals should utilise their wealth, resources, intelligence, and strength for the welfare of society.
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"Good cancer treatment facilities are available in only eight to 10 cities in the country, and patients have to spend large sums of money to go there," Bhagwat said.
Expressing concern over the high cost of cancer treatment in the country, Bhagwat stressed the importance of providing affordable and low-cost healthcare, suggesting that the key solution lies in offering these facilities with a spirit of service.
Reflecting on the ancient system, he mentioned that there used to be one physician for every 10-12 villages who would visit households proactively to provide medical care as a duty.
"CSR is a Western term. Here, we call it dharma. Dharma gives us responsibility and makes us responsible citizens. The West says that the powerful will win, while here we say that the powerful will protect," he said.
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