Southern States - Tamil Nadu

Social sector lagging behind: Jaitley

By Our Staff Reporter

CHENNAI June 22. The social sector has failed to keep pace with the progress the country has made over the years, the Union Law Minister, Arun Jaitley, said today.

The ``tardy growth'' was an issue of serious concern. Safe drinking water and education were still eluding a major section of the population, not to mention the problem of illiteracy. The grain banks were full, but hunger and starvation could not be taken care of. Adequate facilities were yet to be created to help the sick and the needy, he said, presiding over the inauguration of new facilities at the Kanchi Kamakoti CHILDS Trust Hospital here.

Healthcare had never been provided free. Taxpayers paid for government facilities, while in the case of the private sector, those who availed themselves of the facilities at a cost, had to pay more.

The private sector had stepped in, but the cost factor was such that it would continue to be a state subject. In this context, it was worth studying the success of insurance-linked health programmes available abroad.

The bulk of the revenue collected by governments was spent on servicing their own requirements, such as salaries and bills.

The healthcare system had always been the responsibility of the state and it was emerging as a major challenge to governments.

Commending the exemplary work done by the hospital, Mr. Jaitley said it would be a trendsetter for other paediatric institutions.

The chairman of the hospital's board of trustees, V. Shankar, said the hospital was debt-free and had recently spent over Rs.1.5 crores on acquiring medical equipment.

The hospital trustee, N.K. Moorthy, said the contribution of donors had helped in the growth of the institution.

The Kanchi Sankaracharyas participated and offered their benediction.

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