The Hindu : National : Ministry to focus on reducing cost of equipment

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Friday, Jan 06, 2006

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Ministry to focus on reducing cost of equipment

Special Correspondent

Ramadoss to request Finance Minister to cut tax on medical equipment

CHENNAI: The Health Ministry would make concerted efforts to bring down the cost of radiology equipment, Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss said on Thursday.

Addressing a gathering of radiologists from across the country, he said he would speak to the Finance Minister to reduce the tax on radiology equipment from its current 12 per cent. Mr. Anbumani was responding to a request made by the incoming president of the Indian Radiological and Imaging Association, S.S. Doda, at the association's 59th Annual Conference in Chennai. Dr. Doda had appealed that the tax be brought down to four per cent.

The Health Minister said the Government was committed to bringing down the cost of equipment. It was also engaged in the process of setting up mammography units in all Government hospitals. Upgrading infrastructure and providing diagnostic equipment in Government hospitals was on the agenda, he said.

Mr. Anbumani underscored the need for radiologists to observe ethics in their practice, referring to the debate on the unlawful sex determination ultrasound systems. While the ultrasound machine was a lifesaver, it had become, in the eyes of the public, a life-taker, he said, adding that it was up to the radiologists to reverse that opinion. A. Rajasekharan, president of the National Board of Examinations released a souvenir. He said radiology had evolved into the most popular speciality, but it was worrying that most medical colleges did not have sophisticated diagnostic devices and students could not get hands-on experience.

Dr. Doda, who was sworn in by his predecessor S.K. Bhargava on Thursday, pledged that the IRIA would take the lead to eliminate sex determination. I. Kandasamy, organising chairman of the conference, also referred to the unethical uses that ultrasound systems were being put to. While many advanced investigative techniques were available, the prohibitive cost still put them beyond the reach of the majority. The cost of the machines would come down if local manufacturing units were started, he said and urged the Health Minister to encourage the industry to start manufacturing such equipment.

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