Daijiworld Media Network -Mangaluru (JS)
Mangaluru, Jun 13: "To control malaria, dengue and other diseases which are identified during the rainy season, meetings have been convened with the concerned officials and necessary steps are taken,” informed health minister U T Khader.
Addressing a press meet here at circuit house on Monday, June 13, Khader said, “We have directed all the Asha workers, Anganawadi workers and other officials to visit every house and create awareness among the public. To make sure that none of the house is missed out, we have asked them to collect the phone number and address so that we can cross verify.”
“Public should not fear about these diseases. They should be cautious and take precautionary measures by keeping the surroundings clean. We have appointed one nodal officer to every district and three mobile testing units and spray is supplied.”
“In Dakshina Kannada there are about 64 PHCs out of which only nine do not have doctors. Private hospitals have agreed to give doctors where there are no doctors, I thank them. In PHCs where there are no doctors the patients should not be sent back. They should be sent to taluk hospitals in 108 ambulance. From June 15 to 21 swachatha week will be conducted. Drives will be taken to create awareness in construction site, schools and other places. We have urged all MLAs to convene meeting and take action in taluk level.”
“No lab or hospital can charge more than Rs 500 for the tests pertaining to this. Any lab or hospital which charges more, action will be taken against them. I have directed all the taluk level officials to be on field and not sitting in the office and they will be responsible. The central government has increased the retirement age to 65 years and in our state we will be increasing the age to 65 on two conditions that is their will to work after 60 and their fitness. To fill all the vacant posts, direct recruitments are made by walk in interviews for doctors. They will be paid Rs 40,000 per month until three years. If they perform well then thereafter they will be made permanent. PG doctors will be recruited on contract basis and paid Rs 1 lac per month.”
Expired drugs:
Speaking about expired drugs, Khader said, “There are about Rs 10 crore worth expired drugs in the state. Usually the expired drugs from government hospitals and PHCs are sent to district warehouse. From there the pharmaceutical company is sent the list of expired stock for which they give replacement but the expired drug is not given back. Such expired drug has to be disposed but there was no policy since 2000 as there was restriction by the pollution board for disposal of these expired medicines. Since I have taken charge we have formed an expired drug disposal policy. Accordingly tender will be called and medicines will be disposed. For disposal of all the expired stock, we need to spend Rs 1 crore.”
“We have already made all the medical logistics computerised up to district level. In the coming days whole inventories will be computerized and published on the health department website.”
On being asked about the press meet and complaint to the chief minister against union minister Janardhan Poojary by some local leaders, he said, “It is his personal opinion. It’s not party opinion.”