Minister for Health and Family Welfare U T Khader said generic medical centres and 24x7 pharmacy centres will be established in all districts within three months.
The government has signed an agreement with HLL Life Care Limited for the same. After covering districts, the scheme will be extended to taluk hospitals.
Speaking at the foundation stone laying ceremony for Janasanjeevini Generic Medical Centre and launching of ‘Shradhanjali Vaahana’ (van to transport corpse) donated by Sasvat and U T Fareed Foundation at District Wenlock Hospital premises here on Saturday, he said generic medical centres will provide around 1,000 types medicines with 80 per cent discount and branded medicines will be sold with 10 to 20 per cent discount.
Khader said Karnataka is the only State to provide health insurance both for APL and BPL card holders. It has launched ‘Jyoti Sanjeevini’, health insurance scheme for government employees. The Accident Insurance Scheme which provides free treatment upto Rs 25,000 is first of its kind in Asia. Bike Ambulance scheme is ready and would be launched by the month end, he said.
Model hospital“Wenlock Hospital has become a model hospital with successful implementation of peritoneal dialysis, step-I ICU and the hospital has best post-mortem area. With the cooperation of HLL Life Care Limited, a diagnosis centre will be established at the hospital premises. A lot of ground work should be done to start medical college in the hospital and we hope that the proposal can be brought in next year’s budget,” he said. Meanwhile, Khader said that priority will be given to the development of exterior of the hospital next year.
Rajyasabha MP Oscar Fernandes laid foundation stone to the new facilities. He said facilities in Wenlock hospital reach more number people as it is hospital of the region and not only of the district. He suggested medical students to concentrate more on research. Oscar Fernandes said that ‘Sanjeevini’ is the drug used in the era of Ramayana to save lord Rama’s brother Laxman, unfortunately, at present, Indians have to get permission from foreigners for the patent.
MLA J R Lobo said that a hospital can not become people-friendly just with good machineries, but there should be sincere staff. He congratulated the Wenlock hospital staff as well as the Minister. “Khader has provided new machineries and money for the hospital. Several hospitals in DK and Udupi have been upgraded in past two years,” he said.
Raghavendra Bhat, doctor who retired after 40-years of service in Wenlock, was felicitated.
Janasanjeevini generic medical centre will be built in 740 square feet of land spending around Rs 10 to 15 lakh. The MLC Ivan D’Souza, MLA Mohiuddin Bava, Corporator A C Vinayraj, District Surgeon, Wenlock Superintendent Dr Rajeshwaridevi H R, Sasvat Foundation Director Vijay Bihani were present among others.