The union minister for health and family welfare, Mr JP Nadda has emphasised on the need for medical ethics for doctors while delivering the keynote address at the 89th National Conference "IMA NATCON 2014", organized by the Indian Medical Association, at Ahmedabad recently. 

The health minister decried the prevalent practice of giving gifts to doctors by pharma companies. He called upon the medicos to shun this practice. The health minister stated that India faces the dual burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases unlike many other countries which have to address only one of these. The minister urged the IMA to encourage doctors to serve in the rural areas.

Mr Nadda spoke on the key initiatives taken by the government such as Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme which will be rolled out in 100 gender critical districts, and the Swachch Bharat Abhiyan. The Health Minister noted that the time has come where hygiene and cleanliness needs to be made a part of our civic consciousness. There is an undeniable and strong connection between cleanliness and overall health and well-being. The country cannot aspire to meet the goals for 'health for all' in absence of clean and hygienic surroundings, the minister said. He urged the doctors to use their influence with the patients to spread consciousness of cleanliness and hygiene among them.

Minister informed that the National Health Policy will be placed in public domain to invite comments and suggestion from all stakeholders. He welcomed suggestions and insights of the medical fraternity for enriching the National Health Policy. He highlighted the several new initiatives taken by the government like launch of the country's first Mental health Policy.