The Kerala Government has sanctioned Rs 96 crore to set up an electronic demographic database and hospital automation system under its E-Health programme, the first State to do so, Health and Family Welfare Minister V. S. Sivakumar said here today.
“The E-Health initiative, the first of its kind in India, envisages a central data server to have all the health and demographic data of the population linked to a Health Management Information System,” Sivakumar said adding, all health institutions would be computerised.
The Minister said a recent study revealed 42 per cent of deaths in the 30 to 60 age group in Kerala were due to lifestyle diseases.
He said the Government had prioritised the need for a lifestyle Disease Control Programme offering free screening, treatment and distribution of drugs for lifestyle diseases through hospitals and sub-centres to all irrespective of income.
Speaking after inaugurating an international symposium on ‘Medicinal Mushrooms’ at the nearby Amala Cancer Research Centre, he said 700 of the 14,000 species of mushrooms in the world are known for their medicinal properties.
Sivakumar said medicinal mushrooms are used to effectively treat over 20 different kinds of diseases such as cardiovascular problems, cancer, hepatitis, gastritis, insomnia, asthma and bronchitis.
He said ACRC had made a rich contribution in scientific research in cancer and allied branches of medical sciences.
The Pro-Vice Chancellor of Jaipur National University Prof H. N. Verma presided over the symposium.
Besides 100 delegates from India, others from the Gulf nations, Japan and the US also participated.