Nurses Best Envoys - Doctors Also Needed At Home

New Delhi, Jun 3 (UNI) Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh has called Indian nurses in the Gulf ''amongst our most successful ambassadors'' but reminded ethnic Indian doctors they are also needed at home, the HRD Ministry reported today.

''We also seek your part in the process of nation building back in India,'' the Indian HRD Minister visiting Saudi Arabia said launching an Indo-Saudi Medical Forum at a glittering function in Jeddah Hilton yesterday, a Ministry statement said.

''Being fully aware of the very important role all of you are playing in promoting relations between our two countries, could I also express the hope that many of you will look to India for your further professional development.'' ''In a country of our size, the need for trained doctors is undeniable and much as we would like you to strengthen the medical establishment in other countries and earn laurels for the quality of our educational system, we also seek your part in the process of nation building back in India,'' Mr Singh said.

''We in India are engaged in a major task of improving rural health care. The National Rural Health Mission has been recently launched to provide accessible, affordable, accountable, effective and reliable primary health care facilities, especially to the poor and vulnerable sections of the population.'' ''This is a huge task. At the same time, our Government, for several years now, has liberalised entry norms in the health care industry for private players. The health insurance market has been opened to private competition.'' Mr Singh told audience that the Indian government ''is committed to'' increasing public spending on health-- at least 2-3 per cent of India's Gross Domestic Product over the next five years.

Mr Singh also offered assistance in training nurses, if needed, according to a copy of his remarks made available in New Delhi.

''We have the facility to train nurses in India and would be glad to extend assistance should it be required,'' the Minister said.

He noted that the Forum is ''to provide a platform for interaction amongst'' Indian and Saudi medical men and women and promote links between Indian and Saudi medical institutions.

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