Healthcare has not received as much attention, but the government has put some new schemes notably, the ambulance and expanded maternity services all over the State.

The Government has allocated Rs 87 crore for upgrading primary health centres, community health centres, taluk hospitals and district hospitals. About 5000 doctors, nurses and para-medical staff will be appointed in both urban and rural areas. Out of this, Karnataka Public Service Commission has already started the process of recruitment of 815 doctors.

Tayi Bhagya

A new scheme named ‘Tayi Bhagya’ for safe maternity services in government and private hospitals has been introduced with an allocation of Rs 30 crore. The scheme runs along the same lines as Chiranjeevi scheme in Gujarat, and will cover all segments under BPL and will extend to all districts. Women under BPL can go to any government hospital or private hospital empanelled by the state and be covered for not only deliveries, (2 live births) but consultations as well. 

The scheme will initially be started in districts of Bidar, Gulbarga, Raichur, Koppal, Bagalkote, Bijapur and Chamarajanagar. This initiative is considered essential in a State where maternal mortality rates are 195 deaths per one lakh births. 52 infants die out of 1000 infants due to improper care and medical attention.

Arogya Kavacha

‘Arogya Kavacha’ a new scheme is being started to provide emergency care and bringing the critical patients to the hospitals through a network of well equipped ambulances.  The scheme will be implemented through public-private partnership. An amount of Rs 10 crore has been provided for starting this on a pilot basis.

The scheme will have ambulances fitted with GPS and wireless services besides centralised call centre capable of handling 75,000 calls a day. The ambulances will run in two shifts and one emergency medical unit will also be set up where population is less than one lakh. About 150 ambulances will be ready by March 2009 and 517 ambulances will be pressed into service by December of next year.

General Hospital

A general hospital is already being set up in Indiranagar in Bangalore and the Government is now mulling over making this a multispeciality hospital. This hospital is expected to fill the gap for a Government hospital in the eastern part of the city. Rs 8 crore has been provided for this purpose during the current year.

For construction of emergency trauma care ward at Victoria and Bowring hospitals in Bangalore, an amount of Rs 25 crore has been  provided. Both the hospitals have already started construction of building. Drug testing laboratories in Hubli and Bellary will be set up for which Rs 5 crore have been allocated.

HIGHLIGHTS

*Providing emergency and critical care through ambulances in every taluk under ‘Arogya Kavacha’ scheme under PPP. Allocation: Rs 10 crore. 

* ‘Tayi Bhagya’ scheme for providing maternity care in government and private hospitals.  Allocation: Rs 30 crore.

*Appointment of 5,000 medical personnel and upgradation of health centres and taluk and district hospitals. Allocation: Rs 87 crore.

*General hospital to be set up in Indiranagar, Bangalore for meeting the medical needs of the people in the eastern part of the city. Allocation : Rs.8 crore

*Construction of emergency trauma care ward in Victoria and Bowring hospitals in Bangalore. Allocation: Rs.25 crore.

*Setting up of drug testing laboratories in Hubli and Bellary. Allocation: Rs 5 crore.

HEALTHY OPINION

While the budget protects the interest of farming community and supports agriculture, it simultaneously attempts to deliver on the chronic need for infrastructure development in the State. However, an increased outlay for healthcare and development of healthcare infrastructure would have been desirable. A State which is looking at faster development of its infrastructure has to incorporate the improvement in Healthcare on its core agenda.

-Vishal Bali, CEO, Wockhardt Hospitals Group

We are very happy that most of our proposals have been accepted. Improvement of quality of services in primary healthcare centres and tertiary care centres will get proper attention now. Such a large number of programmes will be beneficial and will help us provide affordable, accessible and quality care with focus on equity.

-Madan Gopal, Secretary, Health and Family Welfare

The allocation for the emergency trauma centre for Victoria and Bowring hospitals will come as a great boon for acute treatment. Once fully functional, these centres will be able to treat 30 patients each.  The building has already been allocated by BDA in Bowring and KPTCL in Victoria and this money can be used for acquiring equipment and personnel.

-Dr Subhash, Dean, Bangalore Medical College