Hyderabad, January 06 (INN): Health Minster DL Ravindra Reddy on Thursday sought immediate financial assistance from the Centre to complete several pending projects in the State.
Ravindra Reddy made a detailed representation to Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad at the Lakeview Guest House here on Thursday. Later, talking to reporters at the State Secretariat, Ravindra Reddy said that he asked Azad to provide Rs 150 crore for the Nizam’s Institute of Medical Science hospital being constructed at Srirangalpur near Bibi Nagar. He said the hospital with 200-beds could be started in the first phase if the Centre provides at least Rs 35 crore on immediate basis.
The minister asked the Centre for Rs 30 crore for the Visakhapatnam Institute of Medical Science. He also asked Azad to include the city’s Niloufer Hospital under the Urban Health Mission. Further, he also sought centre’s assistance in reducing the infant mortality rate in the State.
Ravindra Reddy said that the during the next Five Year Plan, Andhra Pradesh would get Rs 1400 crore under the National Rural Health Mission. The State’s contribution for the project would be Rs 272 crore.
The minister also briefed Azad about the State’s plan to extend Arogyasri to all citizens of the State. He also told the Union Minister that the scheme of providing 100 per cent medicines in government hospitals, launched in Adilabad and Srikakulam districts, has been successful and the same could be extended to other districts.
Regarding increase in the medical seats, the minister said that 1,000 seats would be increased in the State from the next academic year. While 50 seats would be increased in each of the 10 government medical colleges, the rest would be increased in private colleges. (INN)