Date:08/04/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/04/08/stories/2007040807620400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Ashok: no privatisation of State-run medical colleges

Staff Reporter

Government is planning to strengthen the facilities there, says Minister

STRESS ON HEALTH: Health Minister R. Ashok (left) looking at the posters on display after inaugurating an exhibition on health awareness in Bangalore on Saturday. Honorary secretary of Karuna Trust H. Sudarshan and Principal Secretary, Health and Fa mily Welfare, Usha Ganesh are with him. — Photo: K. Gopinathan

Bangalore: There would be no privatisation of the State-run medical colleges and hospitals, Minister for Health and Family Welfare R. Ashok said here on Saturday.

In the light of ongoing protests by college students and staff of government hospitals against granting autonomy to medical institutions and their privatisation, the Minister said, "The State Government is not keen on privatising hospitals, but is planning to strengthen the existing facilities there through its own resources."

Inaugurating the 58th World Health Day celebrations organised by the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Mr. Ashok announced a host of new schemes, most of which have been incorporated in the budget.

Medical help

He said, under the "Asha" scheme, the Government would provide medical help for every 1,000 people in the State.

The scheme would initially take off in nine districts and the department would appoint 11,000 health workers to provide basic medical help and to spread awareness about maternal and child health, he said.

He said that 46 ambulances would be sanctioned for dealing with emergency in all the districts.

"We have already started "Arogya Melas" (health camps) in a few districts for people from remote areas who do not have access to the healthcare system. We plan to make them a regular affair.

Health Day

The Government also plans to designate one day in a month as Health Day, when the people can tell the authorities about their health problems and officials can take stock of the deficiencies in the health system in all districts."

Mr. Ashok said that 63 taluk hospitals had been upgraded to have 100 beds and each hospital would have 11 doctors.

Geriatric departments would be started in government hospitals, he said.

Dedicated control room

The State would have a dedicated control room for accidents and medical emergencies, which would be headquartered in Bangalore.

"The outlay for health and family welfare in the budget for 2007-2008 has increased by over one per cent compared to the previous budget. Last year, Rs.1,593 crore was allocated for the health sector which had gone up to Rs.1,936 crore this year," he said.

H. Sudarshan, former chairman of the Task Force on Health and Family Welfare, said the increase in budgetary allocation for health was welcome, but steps needed to be taken to see that the department spends the funds properly.

He suggested that the Government introduce a "district cadre" for doctors so that those coming under a particular cadre would compulsorily have to work in that district.

Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Usha Ganesh was present.