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Free medical aid for senior citizens

Special Correspondent

Doctors in remote areas to get additional remuneration

JAIPUR: The Rajasthan Government has decided to provide free medical treatment to all senior citizens above the age of 65 years as a welfare measure for the elderly. Senior citizens were so far getting the facility of diagnostic tests free of cost at Government hospitals.

State Medical and Health Minister Digambar Singh said in Bikaner on Monday that this step, accompanied by the appointment of 23,000 paramedical personnel this year, would strengthen medical services and provide succour to people in the remote areas.

Dr. Singh said the doctors and paramedical staff working in the far-flung areas would get additional remuneration. Besides, a surgical mobile unit will be established at each divisional headquarters to extend free surgery facility to poor patients in the villages.

The Minister pointed out that the State Government had opened 1,186 new hospitals during the past three years and added 4,000 beds in various hospitals. As many as 2,048 new houses for doctors and paramedical personnel are being constructed across the State.

Dr. Singh said better infrastructure facilities and operation tables had been provided to villages under the Rural Health Service created recently, while a Drug Corporation was proposed to be established shortly for ensuring effective distribution of medicines.

Dr. Singh said 18 new ambulances would shortly be provided to Bikaner division for improving the access of patients in rural areas to the city hospitals.

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Free medical aid for senior citizens

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