NewZNew (Chandigarh) : First of its kind in the country – Society for Promotion of Ethical & Affordable Healthcare (SPEAK) was dedicated to the public by the Mayor. The inaugural event of SPEAK saw launch of its path-breaking website for healthy lifestyle, patient education, prevention of disease and promotion of ethical & affordable healthcare in India-www.speakforhealthyindia.com. The event was held in collaboration with PHDCCI, Sec 31, Chandigarh. Chandigarh’s . Mayor Mrs. Poonam Sharma was the chief guest.. Said Dr R Kumar, Convenor, SPEAK, and administrator of the website www.speakforhealthyindia.com “The website is a movement that focuses on bringing medical ethics to the fore while highlighting the good work being done by the doctors. We do not intend to criticize any particular doctor or interfere in the treatment. The site is purely educational and is your family friend and is not intended to replace family doctor.”
There is no membership fee, no charge for visiting the site or asking any question on the net. The visitors will also be free to give their feedback/ comments through e mail.”
Senior doctors like Dr. R.S. Sandhu, Dr. R. Kumar, Dr. S.K. Aggarwal, Dr. S.K. Jindal, Dr. Jasvinder Grewal, Dr. Anurag Sharma, and Dr. S.K. Bansal have joined hands to set up SPEAK. Adds Dr Kumar, “SPEAK and its website are the brainchild of a core group of doctors who will work for protecting, preserving and restoring the pristine glory of the ‘noble medical profession’.”
Senior doctors from IMA, members of NGOs like Rotary, Lions Club, Bharat vikas Parishad, Councilors and several other professionals were also present. It is noteworthy that such a website has a very important role to play in today’s India when the medical profession is getting a bad name due to a handful of doctors who do not practice ethics. However, even the greedy buff is concerned in good outcome of their treatment and welfare of the patient.
The subject matter of the website of National importance as the issue of ethics and affordability are problems being faced across the country. In such a scenario, the website and SPEAK are slated to provide yeoman’s service. The portal has write ups and blogs by well known doctors on patient education & healthy life style. It will empower the readers with medical literacy, among people requiring healthcare and public at large. The website will be interactive where questions will be answered by experts. The role of the portal will be educational and facilitation for the patients, doctors and the community at large. It will act as a family friend and not like a family doctor. It will also strive to bring down the cost of various procedures by reasoning, advocacy and appeal to private and public hospitals. The mayor promised all help in its endeavors to help the people of Chandigarh by setting up healthy India centre.
