Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Sept 14: Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today said that Congress don’t see top BJP leader and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as great threat to their party after being declared as Prime Ministerial candidate by the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Talking to the media-persons at the sidelines of a function organised at Jammu University by the Mahavir Society for Education and Research on health and education awareness here today, Mr Azad said, ” Sikander naam rakhne se koi Sikander nahin ban jata.”
He was replying to a question when asked whether Congress finds Narendra Modi as great threat to his party after being declared as Prime Ministerial candidate. “It is internal matter of BJP and we should not comment on it but I will only say Sikander naam rakhne se koi Sikander nahin ban jata (no body becomes Sikander by naming himself as Sikander). We have to wait and watch. Congress will decide on the issue at the appropriate time,” he added.
Addressing large gathering at a function organized by Mahavir Society for Education and Research at the Jammu University here today, the Union Minister said that India will be polio-free country by the January 2014. It will be a great achievement for the country. He said if in a country not even a single polio case is reported for the three consecutive years, the World Health Organization (WHO) declares that country as Polio-free.
Mr Azad pointed out that in first and second year, there was not even single case of polio reported anywhere in the country and now only four months of this third year are left. God willing, after the completion of this third year, ending December 2013, India will be a polio-free country like many other countries of the world. It will be a great achievement in the Health sector, he maintained.
The Union Minister pointed out that earlier, 50% of the polio affected population of the country was found in India hardly 5 years back. It was then reduced to 43% and from there next year up to 9% by taking a revolutionary political decision and mixing two vaccines for providing affective polio drops to the country children after holding series of discussions at various levels. Finally, the results are before us. WHO, a renowned world body is closely monitoring the developments and India is sure to get declared as polio-free by January 2014, he added.
He further disclosed that the Central Government has approved a plan to set up 70 medical facilities/centers for treating cancer, diabetes and cardio-vascular diseases. “There will be an increase in the number of patients suffering from cancer, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes in next 15 years. To deal with such diseases, we have formulated a policy to set up hospitals and cancer institutes,” the Minister maintained.
The Cabinet has approved a plan to set up 70 medical facilities. There is no cancer institute in the Government sector. Only the Tatas have one institute,” Mr Azad said.
“There is a huge shortage of human resources in the country and it is the highest in the world,” he said.
“We were first to bring in changes in the MCI Act, introduced in 1965, and its rules which resulted in increase of 75 per cent doctors in specialty and super-specialty fields,” he said.
Azad said six new super-specialty hospitals on the lines of AIIMS were being set up in the country apart from upgradation of some hospitals to super-specialty facilities.
Regarding the policy to provide medicare to new-born, he said 27 crore children would be benefited under this scheme.
Mr Azad said that at present over 8.75 lakh ASHA workers are engaged in the country for creating awareness among the mothers regarding child birth and assisting them during the birth. The purpose is to contain the rate of mortality. The pregnant mother is provided free medicines and other facilities throughout the country. Even deliveries are conducted free of cost and they are provided money and free ambulances/ or fare charges, if brought to hospital or taken back after delivery in private vehicles/ taxis etc.
Nearly 3 crore women in the country every year are being benefited under Janani Suraksha Yojna of Health Department. The children are also being benefited under Mid Day meals schemes and this is perhaps the largest ever scheme in any country in the world. He said there are some ugly episodes like in Bihar where some children died but over all we should see towards the positive aspects.
He further disclosed that anemic problem is more among the women and even among the children. The Government has launched this programme in many States of the country and in J&K it is going to be launched shortly. The anemia affected women and children will be provided iron and folic acid tablets to remove the deficiency. He asked the State Minister incharge Health Shabir Ahmed Khan to make preparations for launching this programme.
He also said that free check up of the children in schools and Anganwadi will be intensified and three teams of doctors in each block will examine the schools and Anganwadi children twice a year. Their record will be maintained. In case of any major ailment, the Government will assist in the treatment.
Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand, Minister for Housing, Horticulture and Culture Raman Bhalla, MoS Health ShabirAhmed Khan, MoS Cooperatives Dr Manohar Lal Sharma, former DyCM Pt Mangat Ram Sharma, former Minister Yogesh Sawhney, Vice Chancellor of Jammu University Prof M P Singh Ishar, VC Central University Dr S S Biloeria, Ex-MP Janak Raj Gupta and others were present on the occasion.
Earlier, chairman of the Mahavir Society, H L Abrol in his welcome address threw light on some objectives and contributions of the organization for the welfare of the people. A documentary was also shown to the gathering on the works of the society which touched the hearts of many and gave them inspiration. The children and youth presented excellent programme with great message to the society on health awareness and education.
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