BANGALORE: The State Government has decided to establish 44 trauma-care centres in various places to provide emergency treatment for those injured in accidents on national and state highways.

Minister for Health and Family Welfare R. Ashok told presspersons here that Rs. 46.90 crore had been released to set up the centres in towns located on national and state highways.

Ambulance service

The amount would be utilised for the construction of buildings to house the centres. Fifty ambulances attached to these centres would provide 24-hour service, he said.

Asked about the shortage of medical staff in government hospitals, he said a notification had been issued for the recruitment of 250 doctors. As many as 485 doctors would appointed on contract, Mr. Ashok said.

The department has decided to provide annual maintenance funds for sub-centres (Rs. 10,000), primary health centres (Rs. 75,000), community health centres (Rs. 1 lakh), taluk hospitals (Rs. 2 lakh) and district hospitals (Rs 5 lakh). The funds would be used for painting and repair of buildings, he said.

In order to prevent the outbreak of communicable diseases during the monsoon, the District Health Officers have been instructed to hold meetings with officials and members of local bodies to chalk out a district-wise strategy.

No cases of cholera have been reported in Bangalore city so far, he said.

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