Karnataka - Madikeri   

People in rural areas to get healthcare on the doorstep

VIP visitor: Health Minister B. Sriramulu speaking to a patient in the District Hospital in Madikeri on Tuesday.

Madikeri: People in rural areas of the State will soon get medical services on the doorstep with the introduction of mobile “mini-hospitals”, Health Minister B. Sriramulu said here on Tuesday.

He was addressing presspersons at the District Hospital here after visiting several wards and interacting with patients.

The mobile medical services could be availed of by dialling 104, Mr. Sriramulu said.

The facility will benefit people in remote areas who do not have access to medical services.

Besides, the Arogya Raksha health insurance scheme was being implemented on a pilot basis in the districts of Bellary, Koppal, Raichur, Bidar and Yadgir, he said. Under the scheme, over 16 lakh poor people from below the poverty line families could avail themselves of treatment for nearly 400 diseases in speciality hospitals up to an extent of Rs. 2 lakh.

This scheme had proved that the Bhartiya Janata Party Government had concern for the poor in the State, he said.

Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa would be requested to earmark Rs. 300 crore in the next budget for the scheme, the Minister said.

The Arogya Kavacha scheme in which ambulances could be called by dialling 108 was being implemented well, Mr. Sriramulu said. Over 1.2 crore calls had been made to 108 so far and 3.02 lakh lives had been saved, the Minister said.

The Minister warned that if any doctor was found prescribing medicines for purchase from outside the hospital, they would be suspended.

When presspersons told the Minister about problems in the District Hospital, Mr. Sriramulu asked the Deputy Commissioner to look into them. Problems such as corruption, dysfunctional ultrasound scanner, and lack of intensive care unit (ICU), and dialysis and telemedicine facilities were brought to his notice by presspersons.

The Minister, responding to Madikeri MLA M.P. Appachu Ranjan’s request, agreed to fill vacant posts of doctor at the District Hospital by the month-end.

Kodagu district in-charge Minister Krishna Palemar, president of the Kodagu Zilla Panchayat (ZP) V.M. Vijaya, vice-president Anita, president of the ZP standing committee on education and health Manu Muthappa, Deputy Commissioner K.H. Ashwatha Narayana Gowda, Superintendent of Police Manjunath Annigeri, District Surgeon Ajith Kumar, District Health Officer, Shivaram Naik, and doctors were present.

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