Mangalore: State Govt Set to Introduce ‘104’ Mobile Hospitals—Sriramulu
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network—Mangalore (RS/CN)
Mangalore, Feb 9: “Just as the ‘108-Arogya Kavacha’ emergency service vehicle project is successfully operating in the state, the state government will introduce the ‘104’ mobile hospital in the state”, said B Sriramulu, state health minister, during his visit to the city on Tuesday February 9.
Speaking to press persons after visiting Wenlock Hospital, the district’s government hospital, the minister said, “The introduction of 104 mobile hospitals will begin after the allotment of funds in the next budget as assured by the chief minister of the state. The 104 will be a mini hospital where operations as well as required tests will be conducted in the same vehicle on the spot and this is already operational in other states”, he added.
“The 108 service became popular in the state by providing emergency medical service, and it has helped 3,10,000 people by saving their lives. There is a need for 517 vehicles for this project of which 408 vehicles have already been provided and the remaining will be provided soon”, he said.
With the 104 mobile hospital, people can dial ‘104’ from their phone to access the service, as with 108.
“In five districts of the state, the Vajpayee Arogya Shri medical scheme has been already introduced as a pilot project and it will also be extended to other districts after allotment of funds in the forthcoming budget”, said Shriramulu adding that this will help BPL families benefit up to Rs 2 lac in medical services.
He also said that the government will post 2,000 new doctors and it will cover 40 percent of the workforce of government hospitals.
The minister, after visiting the District Surveillance Centre, the only testing lab in the district, located near Wenlock Hospital, said that the district health officer will be suspended for the poor condition of the laboratory after a show cause notice is served to him which he will have to answer within a week. He added that the situation of the hospital is very bad and this has worried him.
Shriramulu was on a visit to the district and arrived in the city after participating in a programme in Sullia and visiting the government hospital in Puttur.