Dismay over addition of colour image of Dhanvantari to NMCs logo
- December 1, 2023
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
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Dismay over addition of colour image of Dhanvantari to NMCs logo
Subject : Polity
Section: National body
Context:
- The recent directive from the Union Health Ministry to rename Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres to ‘Ayushman Arogya Mandir’ with the tagline ‘Arogyam Parmam Dhanam’ has initiated a broader rebranding process in the health sector.
- This move has been followed by the National Medical Commission (NMC) modifying its logo, incorporating a colored image of Dhanvantari, a deity associated with Ayurveda in Hinduism, along with the word ‘Bharat’ above it.
About NMCs:
- The National Medical Commission (NMC) has been established through legislation called the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, passed by the Parliament.
- Functioning as the principal authority overseeing medical education and practice in India, the NMC is dedicated to maintaining the utmost standards in healthcare education.
- Its primary objective is to guarantee the provision of high-quality medical education and training throughout the country.
Key Highlights:
Rebranding Initiative:
- The decision to rename Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres and modify the NMC logo has stirred discontent among doctors, leaders, and the public.
- Critics question the necessity of this exercise, particularly when the Department of Health and Family Welfare, with a budget allocation of around 2% of the total Central government expenditure for 2023-24, is undertaking a renaming process for the 1.16 lakh health centers across India.
Financial Allocation:
- The communication from the Centre to the States and Union Territories indicates that the proposed funds for renaming each health centre are ₹3,000.
- This has raised concerns about the utilization of resources and the priority given to such rebranding initiatives amidst broader health challenges.
Ayushman Bharat Centres’ Objective:
- Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres aim to provide a comprehensive package of services, covering preventive, curative, rehabilitative, and palliative care for all age groups.
- The project receives 60% funding from the Centre and 40% from the States.
Secular Concerns:
- Doctors and activists argue that the inclusion of Dhanvantari in the logo embraces pseudoscientific beliefs associated with Ayurveda, raising questions about the secular nature of medical institutions.
- The move is seen as contrary to the principles of science and rationality.
- National Medical Commission (NMC):
- The NMC, previously known as the Medical Council of India, is a 33-member regulatory body overseeing medical education in the country.
- The controversy surrounding its logo change adds to existing debates about its role and priorities in the healthcare sector.