Bengaluru: The state cabinet will discuss about the proposal of launching Universal Health Card scheme it its next meeting for the benefit of people in the state, according to Minister for Health and Family Welfare K. R. Ramesh Kumar.
Speaking with media persons here on Monday, Minister Ramesh Kumar said all people, irrespective of their status (below poverty line or above poverty line), could avail this facility. “The state government has decided to bring all health schemes under the Universal Health Card scheme. Around 1.30 crore families are expected to be benefited from this scheme,’’ Minister Ramesh Kumar said.
The minister said the state government has been spending Rs 1022 crore under various health schemes and the same amount will be spent under the Universal Health Card scheme. “The government is ready to spend Rs 100 to Rs 200 crore to implement this scheme in the interest of public health. I will discuss with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah about this soon,’’ he said.
He said the government could save Rs 100 crore if storage of expired medicines is avoided and this amount can be utilized for other purpose.
Treatment at private hospitals
Patients can avail treatment at private hospitals if medical facilities were not available at the government hospitals during emergencies. “The private hospitals should not demand patients to deposit money. The hospitals have to inform the government online about the treatment cost. The government can reimburse the amount to the private hospitals,’’ the minister said.
He said the government would take all measures to fix the problems at the government hospitals. “We cannot improve facilities at the government hospitals by overnight. There are few vested interests who are busy in exaggerating small problems at the government hospitals. We don’t care such campaign against government hospitals,’’ the minister said.
He said the government has established super specialty hospitals at the government medical college buildings. “As of now some super specialty hospitals are functioning. Super specialty hospitals will be functioning at government medical college buildings at Davanagere, Vijayapura, Kolar, Ramanagar shortly,’’ he said.
Doctors on contract basis
There are around 1,000 vacancies for specialized doctor posts and the government has decided to fill theses posts on contract basis. “The government offer Rs 1.20 lakh remuneration to the specialized doctors but in vain. We have decided to appoint the specialized doctors on contractual basis. Through this method, we can know about the salary the applicant is expecting. Based on this information, we take a decision on appointing such candidates,’’ he said.
Kerala model
The minister said the government has been considering following Kerala model to pay compensation to endosulfan victims in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts. “It has been decided to constitute a committee under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. This committee will meet once in six months to discuss on paying compensation to the endosulfan victims,’’ he said.
According to him, the government has been considering the issues of paying Rs 3 lakh compensation to each of the bedridden patient and financial assistance to cancer patients and providing livelihood for the families of the deceased persons. “There are around 6,000 victims in the state. We will divide them into different categories to pay compensation,’’ he said.
