Mangaluru: Many generic drug dispensaries would come up across the state within three months. These government drug centers will offer medicines to the general public at reduced prices. This was announced on Saturday by Health and Family Welfare Minister U T Khader.
He said this during a foundation stone laying ceremony to erect generic medical center (Jana Sanjeevini) at Wenlock Hospital. The foundation stone for the dispensary was laid by Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) Oscar Fernandes at Wenlock Hospital. He also unveiled the name plaque.
Khader availed of this platform to list out his achievements. In his address, he said that as a Health Minister he had succeeded in redressing the problems of the people. The minister patted his government on the back, for rolling out the people friendly accident scheme, according to which up to 48 hours, in the aftermath of an accident, all hospitals have been ordered to admit the traumatized patient seeking, without seeking advance payment. The government will bear up to Rs 25,000 of treatment charge.
His pet project Bike Ambulances would start providing services in many districts in a short span of time. The state has erased the distinction between APL and BPL card holders for claiming medical insurance. “This Generic Medical Center offer medicines at low cost, specifically 80% of reduction for common dugs and 20% reduction for branded drugs.”
The Hearse Van that was launched during the same program will carry the dead patients to the cemetery. The van was demanded by the general public of the city. The Health Minister said the government had chalked out an agreement with Hindustan Lever Limited to set up the medical store. These kinds of stores soon would spread across the state, he assured.
Besides, Khader expressed that establishing a Wenlock Medical College was his dream project for Mangaluru. During this financial year he would take up the matter with the state finance department for budgetary allocations. He hoped the college would materialize within two years.
M P, Oscar Fernandes congratulated the minister for his relentless commitment to the welfare of the people. He urged the medical students to cultivate the habit of reading books outside the syllabus. The country has to do more and more research in the horizon of medicines. He stated that the generic medical center will facilitate the needy to purchase the best medicines.
