what is behind pmk(pattali makkal katchi)?

A new India; moving in the new millennium; driven by some of India’s brilliant young leaders who have risen to the top by sheer devotion and professionalism in their work  Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss is one of them

He is the youngest Minister in the Cabinet of the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh.  Inducted into the Cabinet at the age of 37, Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss, the Health Minister of India is changing the health scenario of the country by sheer enthusiasm, charisma and professionalism.

Born on 9th October, 1968 in Puducherry, the young Anbumani went to school at Yercaud of Salem district in Tamil Nadu.  Imbibing the spirit of service to the underserved and poor, the young Ramadoss chose to devote his life for healthcare of the rural poor by studying medicine at Madras Medical College.

The penchant for working for rural masses drove him to work in the rural areas as a Medical Practitioner. He worked tirelessly for three years in rural areas near Tindivanam in Tamil Nadu.

Under the tutelage of his father, mentor and guiding spirit, the senior Dr. S. Ramadoss, the champion of the cause of the poor, young Anbumani learnt his lessons for service to the poor through the constant guidance of his father.

Soft spoken and well articulated, Dr. Ramadoss nursed the dream of doing something concrete for the rural poor. While working in the field, he always felt that urban people had access to big hospitals and a host of choices but the rural people hardly had any such access. He had nurtured a vision to improve the rural healthcare system thoroughly.  This vision and the experience has evolved today to give shape to the National Rural Health Mission, launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh in April, 2005.

The National Rural Health Mission is an ambitious Mission of the UPA Government, focusing specifically on the needs of rural poor, especially women and children. Never before, in the history of India, such a Mission was conceived to bring primary health care to the doorsteps of the villagers.  The Female Accredited Social Health Activist – ASHA, who is to be positioned in 2.5 lakh villages across the country, will provide for basic healthcare at every home of the village.

Under the National Rural Health Mission his immense contribution has begun to bear fruits.   His idea of upgrading the Community Health Centers to functioning hospitals as per the new Indian Public Health standards is a milestone in setting quality health care for the rural poor.  His direct intervention to ensure injection safety by introduction of Auto-disable syringes is a path-breaking step in public health system.

Dr. A. Ramadoss’s commitment and focus to improve the health of the citizens, especially the rural people, has won him many accolades.  When the dreadful Tsunami struck the shores of Tamil Nadu and Andamans, Dr. Ramadoss jumped into the relief work personally and worked tirelessly with fellow volunteers to ensure relief work, especially medical help all of which was timely extended to the affected.

Pasumai Thaayagam (Green Motherland) is a non-governmental organization working for environmental protection, sustainable development and people’s right to governance.  Dr. Ramadoss is the prime mover and motivator of this growing NGO movement.

Dr. Ramadoss has efficiently and effectively steered the notifications of rules relating to ban on smoking in public places, ban on tobacco advertising in India, ban on sale of tobacco products to minors and a ban on the sale of Tobacco products within a radius of 100 yards from educational institutions.

In a bold and courageous move, he has proposed a ban on showing smoking, cigarette packs or tobacco advertisements in movies and TV programmes.  Although a very strong lobby, that is pro-tobacco, doesn’t want this ban implemented.  Dr. Ramadoss is firm on his stand, because the cinema – the audio visual medium – influences young people to turn smokers and this leads to the more harmful habit forever.

Despite strong opposition from the tobacco industry and the resistance from tobacco growers and trade unions, the Ministry steadfastly advanced the agenda for tobacco control through evidence persuasive advocacy and resolute leadership. At the global level, India has been recognized as a role model for the tobacco control.  India is the first country to propose a ban on the depiction of smoking scenes in Films and Tele-serials despite strong opposition from the Film Industry and the Media.

The American Cancer Society selected the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India under the leadership of Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss for Luther L. Terry Award in the category of exemplary leadership by a Government Ministry in recognitions of its consistent excellence in anti-tobacco advocacy and the award was given away at a formal ceremony during the World Conference on Tobacco OR Health in Washington DC on 14th July, 2006.

The tobacco control measures taken by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare under the stewardship of Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss have been widely acclaimed at the global level. India is in the forefront in realistically implementing the tobacco control measures through legislation.  The efforts put forth by the Ministry in designing and facilitating the enactment and enforcement of the tobacco control legislation are laudable and has set a praiseworthy precedent in promotion of public health for other countries to follow.

Under his guidance, the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare have initiated a health insurance scheme to ensure quality sterilization services across the country. The Revised National TB Control Programme has covered the entire population of 111 crore people in 632 districts over the past two years.  The TB death rates have been cut 7 fold and global target of 85% of treatment success rate has been achieved.

Under his guidance, India has achieved the goal of eliminating leprosy.  As against the defined norms of elimination goal of prevalence less than 1 case per 10,000 population, India had a prevalence of 0.95/10,000 as on 31st December, 2005.

One of his long-term fights has been against the spread and incidence of Malaria.  Due to his continuous supervision and directions, the incidence of malaria has been brought down to less than 2 million cases per annum and deaths below 1000 per annum during the last two years.

In the last 55 years, there have been several developments in the public healthcare system in the country but the last three years has seen its real and rapid pace.  Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss says it is only the beginning.