Health Minister K R Ramesh Kumar has called upon Health department officials to implement the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) programme successfully so as to make the state a model for the nation.
Addressing a regional-level review meeting of the Health Department here on Tuesday, he said, “All the 1.3 crore families in the state should enrol for the UHC programme scheduled to be rolled out in November. All those who possess Aadhaar cards can enrol for the programme which is an amalgamation of all state and Union government health-related schemes and programmes. Initially, people have to register in government hospitals. If the necessary treatment is not available in government hospitals, patients can seek treatment in private hospitals. Karnataka is the first state to implement the programme,” he said.
Stating that private hospitals need to be reined in, Ramesh Kumar said that many government schemes have been extended to private hospitals but they have been exploiting both the government and patients. “According to an experts committee report, private hospitals claim money from the government under the schemes and also fleece the patients. Hence, an amendment would be effected to the Private Hospitals Act in the next Assembly Session,” he said.
However, he clarified that there was nothing against doctors but only against the commercial attitude of the hospitals.
“It is the responsibility of the government to spend judiciously as it is people’s money. Many government hospitals are also being upgraded and equipped well.
Referring patients to private hospitals, unless it is inevitable, is not proper. Almost all facilities are available in government hospitals. They will be further strengthened,” he said.
DH News Service