Lady Goschen hospital to get chemo, radio therapy units, says minister

The government is contemplating to introduce a scheme making it compulsory for every individual above the age of 30 to undergo blood pressure and diabetic screening, said Health and Family Welfare Minister U T Khader.

With increase in  number of BP and diabetic cases reported in the State and most often the health factor is ignored by people, the health department is planning to introduce a scheme for the well-being of people, he said. He was speaking after inaugurating the new building of Primary Health Centre at Kudupu, on the outskirts of Mangalore on Monday. 

Mentioning on major initiatives to be taken up by the department, Khader said cancer detection machines too will be introduced in every district hospital.

The population ratio for 108 ambulance service will be changed from an ambulance for one lakh population at present, to an ambulance for 50,000 population. In addition, to monitor the functioning of government hospitals, panchayat members will be trained to inspect the health centres and hospitals, he said.

In order to prevent anaemia cases, the department will distribute iron tablets to anganwadi children and teachers once in a week. The government has also taken steps to fill the vacancies in the hospitals. About 2,500 recruitments have been made for the vacant posts of D group employees as against 4,000 vacant posts. The government is keen on hiring doctors on contract basis by paying Rs 30,000 to fresh MBBS graduates, Rs 60,000 to those who have completed PG and Rs 80,000 for PGs who work in North Karnataka region.

Meanwhile, the minister said, chemo therapy and radio therapy units will be opened at Lady Goschen hospital.

District-in-Charge Minister Ramanath Rai, MLA Mohiyudin Bava and others were present. The Kudupu PHC has been built at a cost of Rs 1.2 crore.