Government keen on strengthening health sector: Dy CM Alla Nani

Eluru: Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister Alla Nani has said the state government is keen on strengthening health sector and allocated Rs 12,000 crore in the budget. Reviewing medical and health services with officials and people's representatives, he said that the government is determined to extend services free of cost to the poor in case the medical expenses exceed Rs 1,000.

A special team of experts have been formulating modalities of the scheme. The scheme would be implemented in West Godavari under pilot project from January next. As the government exceeded the annual income limit to Rs 5 lakh, an additional 12 to 17 lakh families will come under the health scheme. The government will issue health cards to a total 1.5 crore families in the state, he announced.

The Health Minister also reviewed upgrading of hospitals in the district, provision of additional facilities and filling of vacant posts. Minister for Housing Ch Sriranganadharaju called upon doctors and medical staff to be in the reach of people to imbibe confidence on government hospitals.

Eluru MP Kotagiri said affiliated medical college of Eluru Government Hospital should be started soon. MLC R Suryarao suggested for setting up of reception counters to help patients in all hospitals. Several MLAs urged the government to upgrade the hospitals in their constituencies.

Health and Family Welfare principal secretary KS Jawahar Reddy, Medical and Health commissioner Dr Durgaprasad, director Aruna Kumari, Collector R Muthyala Raju, MLAs P Srinivas, K Satyanarayana, V Eliza, T Venkatrao, T Baburao and others were present.