Tamil Nadu to launch healthcare programme for the poor

Stating that this would help improve the access to government healthcare facilities for the poor and disadvantaged sections, Health Secretary J Radhakrishnan said, “Easy access to healthcare is always essential. Ensuring that every individual gets the right to healthcare is the need of the hour. This programme will focus on the treatment of all non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes, cancer and hypertension [the burden of which has been growing in the State] among the poor.”

According to him, the project would involve an expenditure of Rs 2,685.91 crore, for which the State is expecting support from the World Bank. “We are hoping to receive the World Bank’s approval immediately,” he said. After getting the approval, a proposal would be send to the Centre seeking the remaining funds, added the official.

The five-year programme will look into major factors such as NCDs and emergencies, besides also taking into consideration child health issues.

“These are the aspects that are most important. Ensuring that persons from poorer backgrounds can easily avail these facilities is the need of the hour. Many States have been developing Tamil Nadu’s model of healthcare. Such initiatives can prove to serve as a model programme for them as well,” said a doctor from a government hospital.

The programme is expected to commence by May and will continue till mid-2024.