Date:27/11/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/11/27/stories/2003112705720400.htm

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh-Hyderabad

Rs. 100-cr. Central fund sought for NIMS upgradation

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD NOV. 26. The Health Minister, Kodela Sivaprasada Rao, has requested the Centre to expeditiously sanction Rs.100 crores to which it has already agreed, for making the Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) a centre of excellence and of national importance.

He also urged the Government of India to clear the proposal sent by Andhra Pradesh seeking Japanese assistance for upgrading facilities for cancer patients at the MNJ Institute of Oncology at a cost of Rs.30 crores.

The Minister was holding discussions here today with J.V.R. Prasada Rao, Secretary, Ministry of Health, on various issues pending with the Centre. The Principal Secretary, Health, S. Bhale Rao, and other senior State Government officials were present at the meeting. Mr. Prasada Rao assured that the Centre would clear all the proposals at the earliest.

Dr. Sivaprasada Rao informed the Secretary that proposals had been sent to the Government of India for setting up trauma care centres in three teaching hospitals - Osmania, Guntur and Kurnool - for providing medical care to accident victims at a cost of Rs. 4.5 crores. Similarly, proposals to the tune of Rs. 18 crores for strengthening the laboratories and upgrading equipment in various hospitals were pending clearance.

He said a project for Rs.220 crores for strengthening primary health centres and first referral hospitals not covered by any project had been sent for German assistance.

He requested for additional sanction of Rs.15.58 crores for training DWCRA groups, adolescent girls, youth and college students under the AP AIDS Control programmes.

Listing out other issues, he said Rs.105 crores was required for construction and improvement of PHCs, Rs.52 crores for upgrading diagnostic services in teaching hospitals, Rs.5 crores towards the State Illness Fund, Rs.3 crores for improving homeopathy and medical colleges and Rs.28.30 crores as grant-in-aid for 24 Indian Medicine and Homeopathy Colleges.