The Hindu : National : Special cell to implement health programme

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Aug 11, 2006

National

National

Special cell to implement health programme

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry will set up a special cell for the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY), launched to correct imbalances in the availability of affordable and reliable tertiary level healthcare. It also aims at improving facilities for quality medical education in the states.

Importantly, the scheme envisages setting up of six All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)-like institutions and upgradation of 13 existing medical institutions. The total estimated cost of the scheme is Rs 3,976 crore with each AIIMs-like institution costing Rs 332 crore and upgradation of each medical institution expected to cost Rs 120 crore. Of this, Rs 20 crore would be borne by the respective State Government or the institution.

In the case of Sri Venkateshwara Institute of Medical Sciences at Tirupati, half of the cost would be borne by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams Trust. This project is likely to be completed in the next 3 to 4 years.

The special cell, to be headed by the officer of the rank of joint secretary, will coordinate with all stakeholders to implement the project. This nodal officer will also function as a member secretary of the Project Management Committee headed by the Union Health Secretary and will be entrusted with the responsibility of getting the project executed within the approved cost, quality and schedule.

The State Governments concerned have made available 100 acres of land. The Ministry has already increased the budgetary allocation in 2006-07 to Rs 11,289 crore from Rs 6,436 crore in 2003-04 but there is no increase in the posts at the senior management level. Though the Ministry proposed to get the project executed through the Project Management Consultants, the Ministry has the responsibility to oversee the functioning of the consultants, especially for ensuring adherence to time and cost.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National