Kerala - Kottayam   

Call to strengthen health system

Traditional beginning: Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan inaugurating the 39th annual State conference of the Kerala Government Medical College Teachers’ Association in Kottayam on Saturday.

KOTTAYAM: Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan has called for the strengthening of the public health system in the State. He called upon the medical fraternity to respond positively to the criticisms being raised against it.

Inaugurating the 39th annual State conference of the Kerala Government Medical College Teachers’ Association (KGMCTA) here on Saturday, Mr. Achuthanandan said his Government was trying to correct the policies of the previous UDF Government. Their policies were aimed at the withdrawal of the State from the health sector leaving the responsibility to the insurance sector, he said.

The Chief Minister asked the medical community to be socially committed and said the Government was seriously thinking of making rural service compulsory. At a time when the public health sector was facing serious challenges from the private sector, it was imperative that doctors in the public sector provide better service.

The Government has increased the seat strength at Government Medical Colleges by 150, he said. Other steps initiated by the Government include sanctioning of new nursing colleges, dismissal of absentee doctors etc.

The demands of Medical College teachers including better promotions and incentives were being seriously looked into, he said. Mr. Achuthanandan said his Government will soon come out with a comprehensive health policy to root out the problems.

KGMCTA president A. Sarath Kumar, in his presidential address, extended the organisations support to the Government’s efforts in revamping the sector.

Health Minister P.K. Sreemathy delivered the key note address.

Various awards instituted by the association were given away on the occasion by the Chief Minister.

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