by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group
'We are
providing free medicines, tests to all'
We are
providing free medicines and tests to all: Nadda
Union
Minister for health and family welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda says free
check-up will be done in case of those above 30 years of age and
suffering from hypertension, diabetes, oral cancer and breast cancer.
We are going to roll out this scheme in 100 districts this year.
Medicines
too will be given free of cost. Similarly, we have decided to open 20
state-of-the-art cancer units. Under the Prime Minister's Dialysis
Scheme, the government will open dialysis centres in about 400
districts across the country.
HARISH GUPTA
Questions:
Is “free medicine and free treatment to all' your new slogan?
Answer :
Free drugs and diagnostics will be available to all whether they take
treatment in a private hospital or a government hospital. Our
government has rolled out free drugs and diagnostic facilities. This
is a revolutionary step in the field of healthcare. The government is
offering 500 medicines free of cost. Now the states have to implement
this. Many state have already come forward to implement this.
Moreover, there are many other schemes too.
Q. What are
the new schemes?
A : There
will be free check-up for those above 30 years of age and who are
suffering from hypertension, diabetes, oral cancer, breast cancer
etc. This will be done in the entire country. We are going to roll
out this plan this year in 100 districts. We have decided to open 20
state-of-the-art cancer units. They will be built at a cost of
Rs.150 crore. The project will also inculde 50 cancer centres which
too will be opened. Under the Prime Minister's Dialysis Scheme, the
government will open dialysis centres in about 400 districts across
the country. One per cent rise would be registered in the Universal Immunization (vaccination) programme for new born babies every year.
We have taken it up to eight per cent in the last two years and
proposed to take it up to 10 per cent. This has been a great
achievement. There were seven types of vaccines in the immunization programme so far, which we have increased to 11 now. Our government
has done a landmark work in a short span of time.
Q. But in
Delhi, the Kejriwal government too is offering free medicines and
tests?
A: All the
money to the district hospitals comes from the centre. in Delhi also,
whatever free drugs and diagnostic tests are being offered in the
district hospitals, are being funded by the centre only.
Q. So the
Kejriwal government is just bragging while you are doing the real
work?
A. All I
would say is that the government of India is working. There are many
state governments that are taking advantage of Centre's schemes.
Q. You fixed
the prices of stent and keen treatment. It took you three years to
do. When will you fix the cost of other surgeries?
A. We are
working on it. Our effort is to cap costs of all essential surgeries.
Q. It seems
you are afraid of the hospital lobby?
A: Not at
all. We do 'solid' work. We do not get affected by the lobby.
Q. You
generic medicines policy has stirred the hornet's nest among drug
companies. But this order sounds more populist. Nothing is happening
on the ground!
A. Whenever
any changes occur, they have their own reactions. For, the decisions
are taken for the benefit of the people. Just wait... the work is
going on.
Q.
But the effect of medical lobby is quite conspicuous in case of
medical colleges!
A. We
are bringing the National Medical Commission Bill. There will be
uniform policy in the entire Country.
Q. You
had assured about this Bill when you became a minister?
A.
This Bill is in the final stage. After all, whenever there is a
problem, it is necessary to make fool-proof arrangement.
Q. You
superseded the MCI. Then there was some problem in the Supreme Court
appointed committee? Then you formed the 'oversight committee'?
A. I
will not make any comment on this. We are trying to establishing a
transparent system. Look at NEET. It is a glaring example of our
transparency. The National Medical Commission will be formed too. We
will do away with the these problems.
Q.
You are opening AIIMS in every states. But there are neither doctors
nor trained staff?
A. We
have increased 20,000 seats in PG and UGC courses. After all, it
takes time to set up AIIMS-like institutions on such a large scale.
We can not compromise on institutions like AIIMS.
Q.
But you are cutting down the healthcare budget?
A.
No, we are raising the budget. There is a 27 per cent increase this
year. But the states have not been able to spend the money. When I
assumed charges, they were spending about 20 per cent only. After a
lot of hard work, it has now gone up to 40 per cent.
Q.
The government is silent on this issue of 'population'?
A. We
are working on family development mission. Today, the total fertility
rate in 24 states has come down to 2.1 per cent. It is more than 3
per cent in 8 states. In these states, 140 districts are such where
we are doing micro-planning for each one of them.
Q.
But there is no discussion whatsoever, about it. Are you doing it
quietly?
A.
You have to concentrate only on your work while doing some good work.
This is very serious task and the results will be for all to see.
Q. You
once proposed to regulate the sale and consumption of tabacoo, but
went silent after that?
A.
prevention is very essential. We are laying emphasis on public
education and awareness, which has been 6 per cent reduction in
consumption of tabacco in the last three years. The effects can be
seen even in cinema halls. If regulation will be required even after
that, we will do that too.
Q. In
Gujarat and Karnataka, the BJP has announced its leaders. But why is
it not doing so in Himachal?
A. The BJP
prepares separate plans for every state. In many states, we contested
elections after announcing names of the leaders. But in many states,
we did not do so. It is the BJP Parliamentary Board which takes a
decision in this regards.
Q. Some
people say that you are BJP's 'secret card'?
A. There is
absolutely no truth in it. The BJP Parliamentary Board takes the
decision on all such matters and it will take a right decision at the
right time.
