Mangalore: 'Health dept aims to have less hospitals, focus on preventive measures'

Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore

Mangalore, Jul 15: "The aim of the health department is not to build more hospitals, but to build less of them. More than cure, we will concentrate on taking preventive measures," said health minister U T Khadar.

He addressed media persons during 'meet the press’ interactive session organized by Mangalore Press Club here on Saturday July 13.

Minister Khadar briefed about the activities of the health department and said, "People should know the good things we do, the programmes we undertake, only then will they trust us. We normally used to take preventive measures for communicable diseases from April, but henceforth measures will be taken much before and will be continuous," he said.

Briefing about the upcoming plans, he said the department is planning to increase the 108 ambulance facility, and that ‘Nagu Magu’ scheme, under which the postpartum women will be taken to their homes on government expense, safely and free of cost, will be implemented soon.

He also explained about an ambitious programme of the health department,'104', under which people living in remote hamlets or hilly terrains can get information about health and preliminary treatments for ailments by calling the toll-free number, '104'. "This number can also be used to file complaints about improper maintenance and services at primary health centres," he added.

The department will also start distributing generic medicines in hospitals, and Ayush unit will be setup in every taluk. Provision of iron tablets to anaemic students, and compulsory installation of ICU and ventilors in hospitals in every taluk are some of the other plans in the anvil. The government is also planning to set up Public Institute of Health Sciences in 50 acre plot outside Bangalore at a cost of Rs 60 crore, he said.

Commenting on the compulsory rural service for medical students, he said, "Usually students had to pay fine if they did not opt for rural service after studies. But now, we have passed a bill in the last assembly session which makes 1 year of rural service compulsory for MBBS and PG students. The bill is now with HRD ministry for approval.

"The government has also sanctioned Rs 9 crore for Lady Goshen hospital," he added.

"With a view to help Endosulfan victims, two committees, namely, executive committee and enforcement committee, are formed in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Karwar districts. One committee will be headed by the district in-charge minister and the other by the deputy commissioner. The committees will see to it that the compensation reaches the victims on time without any hiccup," he said.

In his concluding remarks, Khadar said only those officials who are sincere and honest are welcomed in the health department.