Allocations for healthcare sector in country increased in last 10 years: Dakshina Kannada MP

Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta said that the allocations for the health care sector in the country has increased in the last 10 years.

He was speaking during a programme organised to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually laying the foundation for critical care block at Government Wenlock Hospital under Pradhan Manthri Ayushman Bharath Health Infrastructure Mission (PM- ABHIM) along with other development works in the healthcare sector across the country on Tuesday.

The central government led by Narendra Modi is dedicated to improving public healthcare in India which is evident as per capita government spending on healthcare has tripled from Rs 1,042 in 2013-14 to Rs 3,169 in 2021-22.

The Ayushman Bharath insurance scheme has benefited a large number of the population in the country and the government has spent Rs 1,12,500 crore under the scheme.

The Ayush sector grew from Rs 25 crore ($3 million) in 2014 to Rs 152 crore ($18.1 million) in 2020 and projections for 2023 estimate that the size will reach Rs 201 crore ($24 million), he said.

The MP said that the critical care unit at the Wenlock Hospital is a “Deepavali gift” to the people of the district.

The public private partnership of KMC and Wenlock Hospital is a model to be emulated across the country. The MP urged the district superintendent to ensure that the work is completed within 15 months.

MLC Ivan D’Souza said that governments have been giving priority to the health and education sector. Wenlock Hospital caters not only for Dakshina Kannada district but also for several surrounding districts including neighbouring Kasargod from Kerala.

He appealed to get more grants for the development of the district hospital and the state government will ensure matching grants for the development works.

Critical care unit

Dr Naveen, a dermatologist from Wenlock Hospital said that the 50-bed critical care unit will come up on a 5,460 square metre area and will have three floors including ground floor.

The estimated cost of the project is Rs 23.75 crore of which 40 per cent is shared by the state government.

The unit will have six high dependency unit (HDU) beds, ICU - 10 beds, isolation ward – 24 beds, isolation rooms – 2, dialysis – two beds, emergency – 5 beds, operation theatres - 2.

Of Rs 23.75 crore, Rs 7 crore has been earmarked for equipment.

MLC Prathapsimha Nayak, Mayor Manoj Kumar, DC Mullai Muhilan M P, ZP CEO Dr Anandh K, Wenlock Hospital Superintendent Dr Shivaprakash, DHO Dr Thimmaiah and others were present at the event.