Govts should focus on health sector: Venkaiah
Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu felt that there is a need to increase budget allocation for health sector to provide better medical facilities to poor especially in rural areas. Venkaiah was speaking at a paediatric cardiac camp event organised by Healing Little Hearts Foundation, UK, and Andhra hospital at Swarna Bharat Trust, Atkur in Vijayawada.
The Union Minister said that the present 4 per cent budget earmarked for health sector needs to be increased ."The country lacks medical infrastructure facilities and availability of doctors and to provide these there is need for investment by private partners and the government is encouraging the private partnership in this area." he said. To ensure better medical facilities, 58 medical colleges are being upgraded and 12 new colleges are sanctioned under the Prime Minister Swasthya Suraksha Yojana in the country, he added.
Comparing health sector statistics of the country with international standards, the Union Minister said that as per WHO norms, for every 10,000 people 20 doctors should be available but in India its only six, like wise, instead of 10 lakh doctors the country has only six lakh, and for every 10,000 people 40 beds should be made available but in the country only nine beds are available. Expressing concern on the matter, the Union minister said its time the Centre and State Government should focus more on health sector and concentrate on rural areas in providing better health facilities. He said health and education are growth engines of a nation and healthy nation only can become a strong nation.
Referring to growing incidence of life style diseases in our country, Venkaiah said in recent times it is observed that cardiac problems are on the rise due to sedentary life styles and wrong food choices. He said 1.5 lakh children are born with congenital heart problems. He thanked the Healing Little Hearts Foundation, UK, for coming forward to organise the camp in collaboration with Andhra Hospitals and also Telugu Association in North America (TANA).
Andhra Pradesh Health Minister Dr Kamineni Srinivas Rao was among other dignitaries present at the camp. The Union Minister also distributed certificates to students who successfully completed general electrician course.
News Posted: 18 December, 2016
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