Kalam was participating at a function organised by voluntary organisation "Smile Train" to commemmorate 10 years of its free of cost operations in India.
Former president APJ Abdul Kalam today urged 'good hearted' people to join hands in order to provide treatment for one million children having cleft lift and palette problems and awaiting surgery.
"One million children are waiting to be operated. One operation for cleft lip alone takes 45 minutes. There is a lot to be done... Doctors have to see if it's possible to reduce operation time by upgrading technology.With the partnership of more good hearted people,it is an achievable target,"he said.
Kalam was participating at a function organised by voluntary organisation "Smile Train" to commemmorate 10 years of its free of cost operations in India, at the Meenakshi Mission Hospital and Research Centre here.
Pointing out that ST had collected Rs 200 Billion to provide free surgeries for 2.5 lakh children with such problems, he lauded the organisation for fanning out to villages and convincing people that cleft lip was not a curse, but a minor problem that could be cured.
He urged doctors to treat patients with compassion, saying health care is a noble mission. "Doctors treating patients
should have six important virtues -- generosity, pure ethics, tolerance, perseverance,concentration and up to date knowledge
Later,interacting with doctors,he said he did not think he had completed any task to his full satisfaction during his
tenure.
Asked which was the major issue that generated much debate during his tenure,he said "it is right to education... Now the government has made education compulsory till 14 years".
On whether he thought a scientist alone should be the country's President when it was developing in science and technology, he said the constitution provided for how to select a president. "Best people in best places select the President," he said.
He also referred to the power crisis, saying it could be resolved by effectively using solar power, biofuel and Nuclear power as the country would require 1,30,000 MW.
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