Healthcare at doorsteps scheme extended to State’s urban areas

Launching the extension of the scheme to urban areas, Chief Minister MK Stalin said it has turned out t o be a very successful initiative in delivering healthcare at the doorsteps of the people. So far, about 10 lakh people have benefitted from it, he added. Now, the scheme would be extended to all urban areas, with the district headquarters hospitals and other government hospitals as nodal centres. 

On Friday, Stalin inaugurated a Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam Clinic at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital. Speaking after the launch of the centre, the Chief Minister said his government was dedicated to ensure easy access to healthcare in the State for all sections of the society. “We are trying to ensure that treatment reaches the people,” Stalin added. 

As part of the scheme, those aged above 18 would be diagnosed with hypertension and tests would also be conducted for non-communicable diseases for those above 30 years. 

According to Health Minister Ma Subramanian, the scheme inaugurated on August 4 has become a major success, with quality healthcare being made available at people’s doorsteps. “Those with mobility issues and serious ailments are the main beneficiaries, and we plan to cover around one crore people by the end of the year,” he said. 

Meanwhile, as part of observing the International Week of the Deaf on Friday, Chief Minister Stalin handed over hearing aids worth Rs 98.80 lakh to beneficiaries, and surgical instruments to Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital. 

Inaugurating the programme, Stalin said ENT surgeries were also being covered under the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme. So far, 4,101 paediatric surgeries have been done under the scheme at a cost of Rs 327 crore so far. 

He added that an allocation of Rs 4 crores has been made to perform surgeries for children who hail from families that could not afford the procedures. “So far, Rs 3.62 crore has been spent to replace faulty surgical equipment. 

Under the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Medical Insurance Scheme, 1.35 lakh people have so far been provided with new hearing aids at a cost of Rs 108 crore. This year, the government has allocated Rs 10 crore to purchase modern equipment for all government hospitals to continue these projects,”added Stalin.