The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : 9,000 camps planned for comprehensive health check-up

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Monday, Nov 13, 2006
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

9,000 camps planned for comprehensive health check-up

Special Correspondent

Karunanidhi will launch the scheme shortly: Health Secretary

HEALTH FOR ALL: Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss (centre), with A. Ramachandran, Director of the Diabetes Research Centre — M.V.Hospital for Diabetes, and V.K. Subburaj, State Health Secretary, at a function in Chennai on Sunday. — Photo: M. Vedhan

CHENNAI: The State Government proposes to hold 9,000 camps under the "Varumun Kappom Thittam," a scheme aimed at providing comprehensive health check-up and education to rural and urban people, according to Health Secretary V.K. Subburaj.

Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi will launch the scheme shortly.

The people will be screened in a comprehensive manner. Based on this, a database will be built for being used for planning purposes, Mr. Subburaj told a function here.

Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss, who released a video compact disc on diabetes prevention at the function organised by MV Hospital for Diabetes and Diabetes Research Centre, expressed the Centre's willingness to participate in the camps.

Semi-auto analysers

Noting that the State had drawn up a programme for improving laboratory facilities in rural areas, Mr. Subburaj said all 1,500 primary health centres would be given semi-auto analysers [used for carrying out investigation such as blood and urine examination] at a cost of Rs. 17 crore. Seven regional diagnostic centres would be established at a cost of Rs. 20 crore.

The Government set apart Rs. 15 crore for information, education and communication activities on non-communicable diseases such as cardio-vascular disease and diabetes.

Expressing concern at the prevalence of diabetes in the State, he said the Kilpauk centre alone recorded 900 new cases every month and around 35 cases of diabetic foot ulcer.

The Union Minister said he had written to the Union Human Resource Development Minister to make mandatory the teaching of yoga in schools.

Labelling system

The labelling system of package food would change with effect from August next. Hereafter, the manufacturers should indicate on the labels the active ingredients and nutritious value of the food.

Referring to the health problems experienced by young professionals working in the information technology sector, he said his department and the IT department were engaged in framing work-related policies.

Describing the country's high maternal mortality ratio as shameful, the Minister said the plan was to bring it down to 100 in three years from the present 300.

Calling for more research on diabetes, he said the Centre was negotiating with insulin makers to reduce the cost.

He commended the State Government for its schemes in preventive medicine.

A. Ramachandran, Director of the Diabetes Research Centre, M.V. Hospital for Diabetes, said his organisation had been highlighting the need for diabetes prevention.

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