The Hindu Business Line : Kerala mulls hospital in each Assembly segment

The funds of the Rural Health Mission will be tapped for developing one model hospital in each Assembly segment in the State, according to the Health Minister, Ms P.K. Sreemathy.

Replying to questions in the State Assembly here on Thursday, the Minister said a sum of Rs 20 lakh would be spent on each such hospital to procure x-ray machines and for setting up other basic facilities.

Forty-two community health centres will be developed as model hospitals in the first phase of the project. Those Assembly segments already hosting medical colleges or district hospitals would be given the last priority in this connection.

The Indian Medical Council is expected to soon sanction 50 additional seats each for MBBS to medical colleges at Alappuzha, Kottayam and Thrissur, the Minister said in reply to another question.

A proposal to enhance the seat strength is pending before the Council. Requisite infrastructure facilities are already available at these institutions where additional seats are being granted, the Minister added.

Steps were being taken to overcome the shortage of doctors in hospitals and health centres. The Government policy was to distribute staff equally in the sanctioned posts, but the Minister said that no new posts would be created.

INDUSTRY POLICY

The Minister for Industries, Mr Elamaram Kareem, said in the House that the new industrial policy envisages revival of traditional sector industries such as coir, cashew and handloom. A one-time assistance would be given to public sector units for purposes of renovation. Replying to a question, he said that permission accorded by the erstwhile Government for mineral sand mining has not been examined.

The Minister said that the Government's policy would be to export value-added product from mineral sand.

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