The Hindu : Front Page : State-wide database of patients under way

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Monday, Dec 25, 2006
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State-wide database of patients under way

Shastry V. Mallady

`Varumun Kappom' scheme from Dec. 30

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MADURAI: In a major attempt to create a State-wide database of patients at the grassroots and document their health status, officials are trying to computerise the medical reports of health camps to be held under the `Varumun Kappom' public health scheme. Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi will launch the scheme at Chennai on December 30.

Health officials are looking at employing Information Technology in a big way to create a mechanism to transmit medical reports of all rural and urban patients screened at the camps.

Computers are being provided to primary health centres under the Reproductive and Child Health project.

Health profile

The database will help in understanding the health profile of people in different zones and also to create infrastructure accordingly.

"Totally, 9,000 health camps will be organised all over the State in a two-year period and people will be given health screening/treatment from common ailments to chronic illness," P. Padmanaban, Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, told The Hindu here on Sunday.

Men and women above 30 years of age could undergo blood pressure and urine tests after which doctors at the camp would suggest treatment based on medical investigation. At each health camp, there would be three ultra sonograms to conduct scanning for pregnant women, ECG machine and also three semi- auto analysers that could check functioning of heart, kidneys, etc.

Dr. Padmanabhan was here to conduct a review meeting with health officials from southern districts for the implementation of the project. Pregnant women with any abnormalities would be immediately attended at the camp itself, he said.

S. Elango, Joint Director of Public Health, S. Shanmugasundaram, Deputy Director of Health Services, and other officials were present.

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