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Revamping 108 service, generic medicine outlet, filling vacant posts, UTK talks of plans ahead

Mangaluru : Refuting the claims made by few sections of media that a proposal has been sent by the health minister to ban tobacco, U T Khader, clarified there was no such proposal made and the decision to invoke a ban would be made only after taking into consideration several aspects such as consequences of tobacco on the people, percentage of people suffering of cancer due to tobacco usage etc.

Talking to the media persons on Tuesday, November 4,  Khader further said “the government has already asked few organizations to take up a study on these lines and after receiving their feedback it will come up with a final decision.”

Konaje land issue

Clarifying his stand on the allegations that he had issued an order for re-alloting the land (4.33 acres, survey number 108-8)  in Konaje for setting up of government junior college, which was originally allotted for building homes for the poor, Khader said the issue is being pulled up by people for political gains.

As the said land was located in a centre place it made more sense to set up a public utility building such as a college. If the people who are opposing this move are so concerned then why they haven’t identified the place in interior for constructing houses for poor. Why is that they are raising this issue now. We will find alternative place for setting up of the houses, in the event that we don’t find an alternative place we will re allot the land for housing project. Until we find alternative place we will not take up the college construction work, he added.

’Major surgery’ on 108 Ambulance

Responding to the query that 108 Ambulance were not functioning as expected Khader said “108 Ambulances will undergo ’major surgery’ and within November end 198 new ambulances will be introduced in the state, out of which 98 ambulances are being funded by the State Government and the remaining by the Central Government.”

In addition to this, 150 ambulances funded by World Bank will be introduced every year as replacement to old ambulances.

Respect Speaker’s Advice

“I was neither pulled up by the speaker nor scolded by him. Kagodu Thimappa is a senior leader and has been a health minister in the past and there were some important suggestions he had made during the Assembly session and once the session ended we have implemented the suggestions given by him. Even if he has scolded I will take it has a advice,” Khader said.

Salary of doctors hiked

Taking into consideration the various demands of the doctors and health officers the salary of MBBS doctors has been hiked from Rs 50,000 to Rs 70,000 while the PG doctors will be paid Rs  1,10,000. Those who are employed on contract basis will be made permanent after they put in three years of service, Khader said.

The salary of the medical professionals who come under NHRM has also been hiked, he added.

Meanwhile, applications have been called for 983 posts in PG and 321 in MBBS through KPSC. Whereas 3,000 medical professionals including nurses (male and female), drivers, paramedics will be recruited. Those who apply for the job of nurses will have to write KPSC examination, while the other professionals will be recruited directly, Khader informed. We have already written to KPSC who will now design the syllabus, he added.     

Unlimited supply of medicine

The Government has also taken steps to ensure unlimited supply of medicines to the Primary Health Centres. The doctors have been asked to give indent two months in advance so that the medicines could be supplied accordingly, Khader said.

Pharmacy supplying generic medicine

The government is also mulling to set up a pharmacy which will supply medicine at concessional price, i.e. 20 per cent less than the MRP. These pharmacies will be set up in the vicinity of the district hospital and will be open 24*7, Khader said.

Further, the government is also mulling to set up hi-tech labs and diagnostic centres in selected district hospital and the government will fix the charges, he added.