TS Govt is revamping entire health sector: Eatala

Finance Minsiter Eatala Rajender said that the Telangana Government was revamping the entire health sector to provide better medical care. An amount of Rs. 5,976.17 crore has been allocated for medical and health sector for the year 2017-18.

"The government has comprehensively revamped the status of health care in the State and has put in place a strategy to improve existing facilities and to expand public health care, which has been neglected in the past," the Finance Minister said in his budget speech for 2017-18 made in Assembly on Monday. He said that the State Government's goal was to restore the confidence of the poor in public health facilities by improving all the government hospitals starting from PHCs to multi-specialty hospitals. He said budget allocations were being made based on the beds of the hospitals. Provision for purchase of medicines has been doubled. "The dilapidated hospital beds, torn bed sheets, Saline stands and other equipment are being replaced," he said.

The Finance Minister said it has been proposed to establish three Multi-Super Specialty Hospitals in Hyderabad. The proposal for the construction of a Multi-Super Specialty Hospital at Karimnagar is being considered by the government. To strengthen 108 services across the State, 145 new vehicles have been purchased. "Considering the difficulties being faced by the family members of deceased patients, our government has started 'Free Hearse Service' which is helping families in distress. It is proposed to add 50 more vehicles to this service. Special efforts are being made to extend medical facilities in tribal and remote areas," he said.

Eatala also said that the Central Government was taking measures to sanction AIIMS to Telangana.

Further, the Finance Minister announced that on the admission of pregnant woman in a government hospital, the government has decided to extend an assistance of Rs. 4,000. At the time of discharge from the hospital, further assistance of Rs. 4,000 will be provided. At the time of vaccination of the child, another Rs. 4,000 will be provided. Altogether, it is proposed to provide Rs. 12,000 to a woman undergoing institutional delivery in a government hospital. To those women who give birth to a baby girl, an additional amount of Rs. 1,000 will be provided.

The State Government will also give 'KCR Kit' consisting of 16 essential things needed for a new born baby. This kit will be useful to new born child for three months. This kit will have soaps useful for mother and child, baby oil, baby bed, mosquito net, dresses, sarees, hand bag, towels, napkins, powder, diapers, shampoo and toys for the kid. An amount of Rs. 605 crore has been allocated for 'KCR Kit' scheme.