M'lore gets ` 3.6 cr to develop health infrastructure

The government has sanctioned Rs 3.6 crore to Mangalore and Rs 43.18 lakh to Ullal which are among the five urban bodies that have been selected under the first phase of National Urban Health Mission (NUHM), for developing health infrastructure.

Under the Mission, a total amount of Rs five crore will be sanctioned for Ullal to establish the first health complex of the country with state-of-the-art facilities. 

The model health complex will be established at a cost of Rs 1.25 crore, said Health and Family Welfare Minister U T Khader. Speaking to reporters after a review meeting with health department officials at the deputy commissioner’s office on Saturday, he said under National Urban Health Mission project, health infrastructure will be improved including upgrading of existing primary health centres, developing full-fledged laboratories, appointment of auxillary-nurse midwives and ASHAs, organising outreach camps, establishing urban mobile health clinics, purchase modern equipment etc.  
  The Central government has sanctioned Rs 49.22 crore to the State this year for implementing NUHM. The project will be implemented in three other cities including Bangalore, Mysore and Bagalkot, apart from Mangalore and Ullal in the first phase, Khader said.

To a query on the contradictory figures on malaria death cases reported in the district in last two years, submitted by the district health office, Wenlock Hospital and the NGOs, the Minister said he will order for an inquiry to look into the issue. If the District Health Office claims of no death case due to malaria having been reported in the district, Wenlock Hospital shown the figure at five, while the NGOs claim that 29 death cases have been reported.

Hi-tech lab in Wenlock

Later, chairing a meeting at the District Wenlock Hospital, Khader said a hi-tech lab will be developed in Wenlock Hospital. He assured of filling the vacancies and providing more facilities and convert the district hospital as people-friendly hospital. 

Khader also directed the medical officers to organise workshops for medical students who are serving in Wenlock Hospital, on responding to the patients with care. Department Principal Secretary M Madan Gopal, Commissioner V B Patil, District Surgeon Dr Rajeshwari and others were present.