R'than primary health centres under PPP mode

In order to strengthen health services in rural areas, Rajasthan government has decided to hand over all the primary health centres to private players. On Tuesday, the cabinet gave approval to run all the 2,084 health centres under public-private partnership mode.

The cabinet also cleared a proposal to run sick units of the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation on PPP mode. Rajasthan is one of the states which are encouraging public-private partnership modal rapidly in all sectors including tourism, health care, mining, drinking water, power and infrastructure.

“All the 2,084 PHCs will be run on PPP mode. The primary health centres (PHCs) which do not have adequate doctors and para-medical staff will be taken up on urgent basis. All the facilities presently being given by state government will continue in the similar fashion,” said Rajendra Rathore, Health Minister.

Lack of doctors and para-medical staff has been the biggest hurdle for the government in strengthening health services in rural areas. Under the PPP mode, tenders will be invited to hand over the PHCs to private players. The PHC management will have to ensure adequate doctors, para- medical staff, 24 hour emergency facility, free outpatient department, six-bed inpatient department and other basic requirements.

Similarly, the sick units of Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) will also be given to private players.

There are around 75 properties of RTDC which have been classified under three heads.
“Those units which have never been opened after their construction will be auctioned according to rules. Those units which are under loses will be leased out to private parties on PPP mode. And the remaining properties which are running in profit will be renovated so that they can compete with big private hotels,” said Rajendra Rathore.

Presently there are 75 RTDC units. Of these 44 are operational and 12 are making profits, he added.

The cabinet also approved a proposal to monitor sale of acid in market.
A compensation of Rs 3 lakh has been approved for the acid attack victims.

“Any person who wants to buy acid from the market will have to show his identity card and reveal the purpose of buying the acid. Retailer will note down the credentials of the buyer and state government will keep all the record,” said Rathore.

“We have approved Rs 3 lakh compensation for the victims in acid attack case and the  government will bear all the cost of treatment, he added.