From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Hassan, Nov 30: As many as 100 Namma Clinics will be launched in urban areas in the State on December 14 by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, said Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr K Sudhakar on Wednesday.

Speaking to media persons on the health facilities in Hassan district, he said as many as 1.10 crore Ayushman Smart Cards were ready for distribution and a total of 5 crore Ayushman Smart Cards will be distributed by the end of January 2023.

The minister pointed out that urban areas lacked health centres in accordance with their population and therefore 438 Namma Clinics are being established in the State.

Dr Sudhakar said all people above 30 years will be provided with check-ups in the health centres for cancer, diabetes and other diseases besides free supply of medicines.

A Rs 330 crore project for providing free eye testing and distribution of lenses is being started for people above 60 years. Under the Ayushman Bharat programme, over 1.10 crore smart cards were ready for distribution which will be launched by Bommai on December 9.

The government wants to distribute at least 1000 smart cards in each of the 224 assembly constituencies, he said indicating that the target for distributing 5 crore smart cards by the end of January has been set.

The minister said 100 primary health centres will be upgraded as community health centres, and gradually the community health centres will also be upgraded to minimise the pressure on government hospitals.

Referring to AICC President Mallikarjuna Kharge’s comment on Ravana, the minister said the Congress people know only about Ravana while ruling BJP knows Sri Ramachandra’s administration. That is the difference between Congress and BJP, he said.