JOIN USAfter a long wait, people from North Karnataka find some relief as the budget has proposed setting up of laboratories for detection of communicable diseases in the region.
So far, samples of people from Kalaburagi, Ballari, Hubballi and surrounding areas had to be sent to laboratories in the southern parts of the State. They had to wait for long for reports. The budget proposes setting up of five laboratories across the State at Ballari, Hubballi, Bagalkot, Mysuru and Mangaluru for detection of communicable diseases such as H1N1, dengue, malaria and chikungunya.
The budget has no new schemes for the department of health and family welfare. However, it focuses on digitising the existing facilities. E-hospital software would be installed in all government hospitals. This will help improve the administration of health.
The budget addresses issues that made it to the headlines following protests last year. A system of grant-based medicines would be enabled and supply of essential medicines would be done as per hospital requirements.
This is likely to address the problem of drugs going out of stock frequently in government hospitals.
ICUs at govt hospitals
The rural masses with severe illnesses may find relief as the government has proposed establishment of intensive care units (ICUs) with ventilators in all district hospitals and taluk hospitals.
Linking taluk and district hospitals to medical colleges through tele-medicine is another prominent budget announcement. With digital software in high frequency machines, tele-radiology could be enabled.
The Arogya Sahayavani (104) programme would be popularised and dental laboratories would be established in government hospitals. This apart, integrated Ayush hospitals will be established in Mangaluru and Gadag.
With a view to prevent female foeticide, real time data would be documented through Internet from all ultra-sound scanning centres, which will be monitored till the time of birth.
A total allocation of Rs 6,107 crore will be made for the department of health and family welfare and the department of medical education for 2015-16. An outlay of Rs 5,421 crore was given to these departments in 2013-14.
DH News Service