Other States - Rajasthan   

Shekhawat laments lack of health care

Special Correspondent

JAIPUR: Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat has sought social mobilisation for providing medical facilities to the poor. Only a certain percentage of people could afford modern medical facilities now available in the country while even essential drugs and basic health care were outside the reach of the common man, he said.

"The 26 crore population in the country living below the poverty line is not in a position to afford medicines and medicare. It is unfortunate that even after the nation making so much progress in various aspects we cannot ensure two square meals and basic medical facilities to such a large number of persons," Mr. Shekhawat said inaugurating the Padam Jyoti Eye Hospital and Research Centre at Padampura Bada, 40 km from here in Sanganer tehsil.

Education Minister Ghanshyam Tiwari, who represents Sanganer in the State Assembly, presided over the function. Mr. Tiwari's appearance at a public function along with Mr. Shekhawat who continues to wield considerable influence among the politicians in Rajasthan is being looked at with some curiosity by the political observers in the context of the existing differences between the Chief Minister and her Cabinet colleagues.

Mr. Shekhawat and Mr. Tiwari were also welcomed by several groups waiting along the route to Padampura on the Jaipur-Tonk Road.

"Medical camps for the poor in the rural areas could be one way of providing relief to those who cannot afford health care," Mr. Shekhawat said referring to the activities of the Gulab Kaushalya Charitable Trust, which has set up the eye hospital to provide free treatment. The hospital, spread over a 23,000 sq feet area, has three operation theatres for eye surgeries. It has a target to treat a minimum of 10,000 eye patients every year.

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

Stories in this Section

Army alerted
Shekhawat laments lack of health care
New computer centre for Chandigarh
Experts to deliberate on conservation of ozone layer
Probe ordered
U.S. company to help upgrade health system in Rajasthan

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu