Date:11/02/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/02/11/stories/2005021103530500.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Rural medicare project for State

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, FEB. 10. The Asian Institute of Gastroenterology, here, is taking up a Rs.3-crore rural medicare project to be run by the Asian Health Care Foundation, with donations from individuals and organisations. It envisages provision of free health care to people, particularly those who cannot afford it.

This was announced at a press conference here on Wednesday by D. Nageshwar Reddy, chief of gastroenterology, and directors, P.V.S.Raju and G.V.Rao. Philanthropist, G. Pulla Reddy, who donated Rs.50 lakhs for the project, was present.

As part of the project, three mobile vans, fitted with equipment and managed by a doctor and assisted by technical staff, will be launched in the three regions of the State. Each mobile hospital will be stationed at Kurnool, Warangal and possibly Vijayawada.

The institute will adopt a four-pronged approach through the mobile hospitals--study the disease pattern, provide health/nutritional education, take up vaccination against diseases like hepatitis and diarrhoea and treat established diseases such as ulcers and jaundice.

The vans will be later fitted with telecom systems, which would help the doctors/assistants to be in touch with the institute's telemedicine centre for guidance/support in treating patients.