Universal healthcare, with emphasis on modernisation and affordability, will be the cornerstone of the Tamil Nadu Government's healthcare policies this year. Several schemes have been announced by the Health and Family Welfare Department, spanning child-care, upgradation of primary health centres and hospital facilities.
The Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Mr V.S. Vijay, announced thata sum of Rs 79.86 crore has been allotted for upgradation of diagnosis and treatment facilities at hospitals in medical colleges. For refurbishment and modernisation of 385 mobile hospital vehicles, Rs 40 crore has been allocated. Free ambulance service will be upgraded at a cost of Rs 3.6 crore. Under this, modern vans with facilities to transport emergency patients and new born babies and traverse mountainous terrains will be provided.
In order to provide hygienic food and high quality medicines to people, a food safety and drug control authority will be established at a cost of Rs 50 crore.
Around Rs 38 crore will be spent this year on setting up additional inpatient centres, patient waiting hall and vaccination centres at the 543 primary health centres in the State. In small towns without primary healthcare facilities, 75 primary health centres will be set up at a cost of Rs 14.27 crore.
The State government has allocated Rs 5 crore for identification and treatment of people with birth defects. HIV/AIDS prevention and care centres will be set up in select head hospitals in the state at a cost of Rs 1.5 crore.
The Kilpauk Government Medical College will be given an MRI scan device at a cost of Rs 5 crore. A separate announcement will be made with regard to equipment management across districts.
Earlier, the Government had proposed an outlay of Rs 4,761 crore for healthcare this year, during the recent Budget session.
The key initiatives are the revamped health insurance scheme and the proposal to convert the new Secretariat complex into a multi-specialty hospital and medical college.
The insurance scheme, for which Rs 150 crore has been allotted, extends medical cover up to Rs 4 lakh (for four years) from Rs 1 lakh before. It covers 950 types of medical treatment.
As reported in: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/features/article2453522.ece