Thiruvananthapuram: The LDF government has announced a series of programmes in the budget to improve patient care and infrastructure facilities in hospitals across the state to achieve the target of bringing the health sector on par with Britain National Health Services in a few years.
The modernisation of taluk, general, district hospitals have to be undertaken on a war footing. Each hospital will be examined closely for requirements like buildings, landscaping, medical equipment and infrastructure facilities. The companies which install equipment in hospitals will be responsible for their regular maintenance.
Of the 12,000 crore anti recession package, Rs 1000 crore has been set aside for the overall improvement of health sector. Of this Rs 250 crore will be spent during the current financial year. This money will be spent mainly on providing cath labs to strengthen cardiology units, dialysis units and upgradation of facilities at the Thiruvananthapuram Mental Health Centre.
While many hospitals including taluk, district and general hospitals had been upgraded to higher level, the required staff had not been sanctioned as per the norms laid down for staff pattern. '521 crore has also been set aside for institutions under the health service department .
