Bengaluru: A delegation of Australian government officials, led by Queensland Minister for Health Cameron Dick, met Karnataka Minister for Health and Family Welfare K.R. Ramesh Kumar and Principal Secretary (Health and Family Welfare) Shalini Rajneesh on Thursday and discussed various best health practices and schemes followed by the State Health Department.

Terming it a courtesy call by the delegation, Shalini Rajneesh said issues of common interest in the field of health such as promotion of generic drugs, and costing structure for various surgical procedures fixed by the government under Karnataka Private Medical Establishments Act were discussed.

“We also discussed the integration of ayurveda and yoga to tackle non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and cancer, and promotion of telemedicine and other health services using 24X7 helpline,” she said.