Connect with us

Top News

Cabinet extends scheme to strengthen healthcare infra (Lead)

Published

on

New Delhi, May 2 (IANS) The government on Wednesday extended the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) by two years till 2020 with a financial outlay of Rs 14,832, crore to strengthen healthcare infrastructure in the country including setting up of more AIIMS-like hospitals and upgrading the state-run hospitals.

“In a major boost to the expansion of healthcare infrastructure in the country, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the continuation of PMSSY beyond 12th Five Year Plan up to 2019-20,” the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said in a note.

“The financial outlay for this purpose is Rs 14,832 crore,” Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad told reporters while briefing on the cabinet decisions.

Under the Central sector scheme, new AIIMS are established and government medical colleges are upgraded, according to him.

“PMSSY was started during the government of Atal Bihari Vajpayee to provide quality healthcare in remote areas, as it’s not right to put all the pressure on AIIMS in Delhi. There were talks of setting up six AIIMS. But what happened in the next 10 years is for all to see,” said Prasad.

The scheme aims at correcting imbalances in the availability of affordable tertiary healthcare facilities in different parts of the country in general, and augmenting facilities for quality medical education in the under-served states in particular, said the Health Ministry.

“Under this (PMSSY), we are going to set up 20 AIIMS in the country, of which six have already been established, and would upgrade 73 medical colleges. This is a historic decision,” said the Union Law and Information Technology Minister.

The Modi government had announced setting up of four AIIMS-like hospitals in the 2014-15 budget, another seven in the 2016-17 budget and two more in the 2017-18 budget in the states of Gujarat and Jharkhand, taking the number to 20 since the start of PMSSY in 2003.

Further, the Modi government provided for the upgradation of 13 government medical colleges in the 2014-15 budget and two in the 2016-17 budget, pushing the number of upgradation projects to 73 since the launch of the the scheme.

“Setting up of new AIIMS would not only transform health education and training but also address the shortfall of healthcare professionals in the region… Setting up of new AIIMS in various states will lead to employment generation for nearly 3,000 people in various faculty and non-faculty posts in each of the AIIMS,” said the statement.

The construction of the new AIIMS will be fully funded by the Central government. The Centre will also bear the operation and maintenance expenses of these facilities.

The upgradation programme broadly envisages improving health infrastructure through construction of super specialty blocks, trauma centres and others, according to the statement.

The procurement of medical equipment for the existing as well as the new facilities will be done on a sharing basis by both the Central and state governments.

“The construction activity for creation of physical infrastructure for various new AIIMS and upgradation projects for government medical colleges is also expected to generate substantial employment during the construction phase as well,” it said.

–IANS
mgu/nir/bg

Continue Reading

Top News

Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma

Published

on

By

World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.

Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.

During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.

On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”

Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.

It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.

Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.

Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”

On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”

The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.

Continue Reading

Trending