Wayanad, July 3 (IANS). With the aim of solving the long standing challenges related to health services in Wayanad, Health Minister K. Muraleedharan on Friday announced a comprehensive health package for the district.
The package includes setting up of a super-speciality hospital, development of major government hospitals and measures to strengthen medical infrastructure and human resources.
Launching the district level ‘Kayakalpam Jansamparkam’ public outreach program at the Wayanad Collectorate, the Minister said the package includes over a dozen initiatives aimed at rejuvenating the health system of the district through targeted interventions based on public feedback.
An important announcement was the government’s decision to set up a super-specialty hospital in Wayanad. The minister also said that the land identified for the Wayanad Medical College has been found unsuitable as it falls under protected forest land.
The government is now looking for an alternative site in Mananthavady and warning that delays in infrastructure development could jeopardize the college’s recognition next year.
A meeting will be called under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister to take an early decision on this issue.
This package also includes upgrading Vythiri Hospital to District Model Hospital and Sultan Bathery Taluk Hospital will be given the status of District Hospital.
MRI scanning services will be started in a major hospital in the district to overcome the lack of advanced diagnostic facilities in the government sector.
The minister announced that adequate staff posts would be created in government hospitals in the district and pending funds would be released for health projects. A dedicated building will also be constructed for the District Medical Office (Health), which is currently functioning without its own premises.
Mobile medical units will be deployed in areas frequently affected by human-wildlife conflict, and a detailed study of the increasing cases of cancer in the district will be conducted.
He also announced financial assistance under the Aarogya Kiranam Scheme for the treatment of a patient from Kambalakkad suffering from motor neurone disease.
Highlighting recent public health efforts, the Minister said water quality monitoring will be further intensified to prevent outbreaks of waterborne diseases, including Shigella.
–IANS
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