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Written By: Editorial Team | Published : October 22, 2012 9:03 AM IST
The Karnataka state government is all set to launch the Vajpayee Arogyashree health scheme for Bangalore. Under these scheme specialists from the private sector will sign a Memorandum of Understanding to improve healthcare services in the rural sector. The state is also discussing a Right to Health law, which will be similar to the Right to Education bill. Despite spending lakhs on educating doctors, there's an acute shortage of medical professional in the state because many of them choose to practice abroad.
According to state health minister Aravind Limbavali, the Karnataka State government is all set to sign of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with specialists which will see them improve healthcare services in the rural sector. The government hopes that this move will help solve the issue of specialist docs in the community health centres and district hospitals.
Speaking at the official launch of the Vajpayee Arogyashree health scheme for the Bangalore division on Sunday said that the government was spending lakhs on educating medical students but wasn t getting anything in return. Most doctors, however, have preferred to settle abroad, and this has led to acute shortage of doctors in Karnataka, said Limbavali. They re also discussing implementing a new law, Right to Health , which will be along the lines of the Right to Education Act.
Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar, who launched the scheme, said it was functioning successfully in Gulbarga and Belgaum divisions and he expected a similar response from families below poverty line (BPL) in Bangalore. Deputy CM R Ashoka said that India s healthcare system which lags behind most developed countries needs to be strengthened and the Vajpayee Arogyashree scheme was a move in that direction. The Vajpayee Arogyashree scheme is an initiative to provide latest and free medical treatment to the poor.
Kannada film actor Darshan has been roped in by the Health Department as an ambassador for all similar health schemes in the State. The department had organised a screening camp at Kadugodi near Whitefield on Saturday where over 5000 people underwent health check-ups. More than 138 persons were told to take tertiary treatment in hospitals identified under the scheme. Vajpayee Arogyashree, which was first launched in Gulbarga division in 2010, was extended to Belgaum and then to Mysore division. So far, over 30,500 patients have received pre-authorisation to undergo tertiary treatment and more than 21,000 patients have been treated for their ailments.
The government has spent about Rs 165 crore to help members of BPL families receive tertiary treatment.
Also read: What ails India's healthcare system
