As the Central Government gears up to announce the Union Budget, Kerala's health professionals have come forth with a few expectations this financial year.
The common demand, however, has been the establishment of AIIMS in Kerala. According to senior health professionals, this would help enhance treatment, medical education as well as preventive medical care.
Here is a look at the other demands that they have made:
Dr. Padmakumar, Director, Thiruvananthapuram Medical College
“I hope that the Centre would bring the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College as well as the Calicut Medical College under the category - 'Centres of Excellence.' At present, only Alappuzha Medical College and Thrissur Medical College have been given the status. In doing so the institutes can reap several benefits in terms of medical care and medical education. We would also like to see the establishment of a National Institute of Infectious Diseases that would look into the aspects of various epidemics. It would also beneficial if Kerala houses a national level diagnostic centre that can analyse specific types of medical samples meant for the treatment of major health problems.
Dr Tigi Thomas Jacob, Medical Suprintendent, Kottayam Medical College
“We would like to see a few provisions being made in health insurance schemes. At the moment, there are various schemes meant for patients with hearts problems, cancers and other serious ailments. However, there aren't any schemes for those suffering from the after effects of trauma. This is important because trauma has proven to be one of the major causes of death as well. Thus,an insurance scheme that could cater to this group of people would be helpful. Also like the Alappuzha Medical College, we would like the Kottayam Medical College also to be brought under the Pradhan Mantri Swaasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY). In doing so, the medical care offered at the institute could be further enhanced."
Dr T.U Sukumaran, Paediatrician, Kottayam
“ I believe that the government expenditure on health should be raised to at least 2 per cent of the GDP. There has to be an increase in funds allocated towards the NRHM (National Rural Health Mission) so as to improve the facilities at hospitals in rural areas as well as in tribal localities. The Union Budget should address the action plans that are aimed at reducing infant mortality to single digits by 2020. This could be done by implementing the Neonatal Resucitation programmes. Rota virus vaccines should be introduced in the national immunisation schedule. Also, sufficient funds should be provided to carry out research activities in the area of communicable diseases like Dengue fever.”
Dr. Jayaprakash, Paediatrician, Institute of Child Health, Kottayam
“It would be beneficial if the Union Budget had made provisions to the improve the medical infrastructure across the state. In doing so we would be able to do justice to our medical education systems and treatment. Provisions also should be made for preventive medical care as well as promoting the health care in Kerala. More funds could be allocated towards medical research as well.”