New Delhi
(Health sector is getting a focused attention under the saffron party in Gujarat all throughout. In the latest budget allocation too, the same commitment was reflected. A total of 5.6 per cent of the share of the total expenditures of the state is earmarked for health. The result is win-all, as they put it.)
Air Ambulance --- Committed to public service
For the first time in the country, Gujarat has planned to make available 108 ambulance services to the citizens in case of emergency. The state government has also introduced a system under which Rs 55,000 would be levied per hour if an air ambulance is ordered by a hospital.
In case of individuals, the charges would be Rs 60,000 per hour. In fact, in a meeting with Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, the air ambulance issue was
placed and discussed at length by the Gujarat government. "The Centre has demonstrated its willingness to respond positively," a source said.
It has to be stated that no less than Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that experiences drawn from Gujarat’s healthcare sector have helped the poor across the country.
The healthcare schemes such as Ayushman Bharat Yojana, Mission Indradhanush and Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) were all inspired from the western state -- when Modi himself was at the helm of affairs between 2001 to May 2014.
“During the past eight years, in order to improve the health sector of the country, we have stressed on a holistic approach. We have not only tried to modernise the healthcare services, but also connected behavioural issues such as better nutrition and clean lifestyle to preventive healthcare," Modi had said in June when he inaugurated a 500-bed Nirali Multi-speciality Hospital within the AM Naik Healthcare Campus at Navsari in Gujarat.
The campus is named after L&T group chairman A M Naik and the hospital after his grand-daughter who passed away at the age of two due to cancer.
In June this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said - “In Gujarat, health infrastructure has improved and health indicators are steadily improving. In the third
Sustainable Development Goals Index, Gujarat has topped the country. When I was the chief minister, we had undertaken several measures. Those experiences are now benefiting the poor across the country".
Gujarat's developmental works in infrastructures and welfare measures including core health sector are not only unique on several fronts. They are also done in style.
When Covid19 vaccination campaign was at its peak both globally and in India, Gujarat had recorded 180 vaccine doses for every 100 persons.
Now, why do we say it was done in style?
Countries such as the United States, France, Germany and Canada were behind Gujarat's record achievements. The figures stood as - 138.4 doses per 100 Eligible Population: in US, 153.6 doses in Germany, 166.9 doses in France and 148.8 in Switzerland.
The best figures globally had come out from the Netherlands than at 168.8.
In Gujarat, the same figure stood at 169.2 per 100 Eligible Population. An advanced country like France was second to it globally!
Well, the BJP government in Gujarat is committed to quality health services.
Officials say in order to provide quality healthcare services free of cost to poor citizens, cards of PMJAY scheme have been given to more than one crore beneficiaries.
Health ID cards were distributed to over 34 lakh citizens in 2021 itself under the Digital Health Mission to expand the reach of digital services in the health sector.
Intensive awareness campaign for nutrition and health of more than 12 lakh adolescent girls was carried out under the Poorna scheme.
In the health sector especially, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel's image of a 'common man' -- full form for abbreviation CM (otherwise used for chief ministers) is most relevant.
Officials say 'Common Man' Patel is committed to 'common man's issues and health concerns'.
Therefore, they say - Patel has set a vision to make Gujarat - a Cataract and Blindness Free state.
He has set a goal to reduce the rate of blindness to 0.25 per cent by the year 2025.
The National Blindness and Vision Defect Control Programme has been implemented in the state.
"Because older people are more likely to suffer from cataracts in rural and remote areas; the District Blindness Prevention Committee and District Panchayat Health Branch teams are working to make this campaign meaningful," said an official in the know of things.
The Budget of 2022-23 has envisioned more target-specific programmes in the health and family welfare sector.
A provision of Rs 811 crore for the next fiscal under Suposhit Mata Swasth Bal Yojana was provided. Under this one kg toor dal, two kg gram and one litre edible oil are provided free of cost up to 1000 days to pregnant and lactating mothers.
In order to cater to increasing demand, the Gujarat government will open up five new medical colleges besides 31 colleges which are already in operation.
The Mukhyamantri Amrutam Yojana has got an allocation of Rs 1556 crore. Under this scheme, more than 80 lakh families have been covered for free of cost treatment up to Rs 5 lakh.
Officials also say that among other schemes, a provision of Rs 365 crore for PURNA - Prevention of Under Nutrition and Reduction of Nutritional Anaemia supports nutrition and health education to girls in the age group of 11-18.
In terms of Budgeting again, sources said the Gujarat government has invested heavily in the health sector announcing a total provision of Rs 12,240 crore --- this makes about 5.56 percent of the total expenditure of the state.
Moreover, the Women and Child Development has also received a provision of Rs 4976 crore --- a 42 per cent jump from the previous year.
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AIIMS at Rajkot
* The AIIMS, Rajkot would be 750-bedded and is being established under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana of the Government of India.
** The project cost of construction is Rs 1195 crore and the state government has allotted 201 acres of land for the project and shall also take care of the access roads, water facilities and electricity connectivity.
ends
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