Ayush medicine unit to remain in Belagavi: Patil

Health and Family Welfare Minister Shivanand Patil stated that the Ayush medicine manufacturing unit proposed to be set up in Belagavi, will not be shifted to Bengaluru, as stated earlier. It will remain in Belagavi.

Speaking to reporters in Belagavi on Thursday, Patil said that the decision to shift the Ayush unit to Bengaluru was dropped. "It will be established, and will operate here," he added.

Reacting to the concerns of private hospitals that the charges for medical procedures under Ayushman Bharat and Arogya Karnataka Scheme, were too low, he pointed out that 514 private hospitals were empaneled for the scheme.

"The committee that fixed prices had private hospital representatives also. Talks will be held with private hospitals to address the issue within the framework of the Karnataka Private Medical Establishments Act," Patil added.

Patil said that despite the lowering of implant costs, surgery costs were increasing. "All procedures can't be done in government hospitals. Private hospitals must do them at lower costs," he noted.

The minister said that shortage of doctors in rural areas was resolved by appointing 450 doctors to the state's primary health and community health centres.

Assistant nurse and midwife appointments too, would be made as the cabinet has approved the appointments. A fleet of 400 new ambulances would be deployed soon.

Construction of 60 primary and community health centres across the state, was nearing completion and they would be inaugurated from October 2, by legislators and district in-charge ministers, Patil added.