Karnataka’s Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao
Credit: DH Photo
Mangaluru: Karnataka government has prepared a plan to upgrade all taluk hospitals to the standards of district hospitals, said Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao.
Speaking at the foundation stone-laying ceremony for a new primary health centre building at Machina village, Belthangady, the minister emphasised on the importance of providing better treatment facilities at taluk hospitals.
"The Government aims to reduce dependency on district hospitals by equipping taluk hospitals with facilities similar to district hospitals. This significant initiative will be announced in the upcoming budget. The number of specialist doctors in taluk hospitals will be doubled to ensure their services are available even at night. Necessary medical equipment required by specialists will also be provided. A plan has been devised to ensure that taluk hospitals operate 24X7," he said.
The new primary health centre building in Machina village will be constructed at a cost of Rs 4 crores. Additionally, a plan to establish Ayushman Arogya Mandira in Dakshina Kannada district with an estimated cost of Rs 11 crore has been prepared. The Minister also directed officials to submit detailed proposals for repairing and improving infrastructure in all taluk hospitals in the district.
During the event, BJP MLA Harish Poonja raised two demands in the presence of the Minister—an increase in ASHA workers' honorarium and the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat scheme for senior citizens above 70 years of age in the State.
In response, the Minister stated that a decision has already been made to provide an advance payment of Rs 10,000 to ASHA workers starting in April. While the State Government is offering extensive support to ASHA workers, the Central Government should increase the honorarium. "You and your MPs should use your influence to push the Central Government to enhance the honorarium for ASHA workers," he said.
Regarding the implementation of the Ayushman Vaya Vandana scheme for citizens above 70 years of age, the Minister clarified that the State Government is ready but awaiting clarification from the Central Government. A letter was sent in November seeking clarity on the scheme, but a response has not yet been received. Under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, 60 per cent of the funding is supposed to come from the centre and 40 per cent from the State. However, Karnataka currently bears 75% of the funding while the Center contributes only 25 per cent.