KOCHI: There are many instances of hospitals turning out to be hatcheries of disease. But Kochiites can heave a sigh of relief as some hospitals in the city and suburbs will soon be infectionfree zones.

Vivek Deshpande

The residents of one of India

On the occasion of the observation of Cleanliness Week from October 1 to 7, the Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC) was launched in Hailakandi district. On this occasion a district-level function was organised at Rabindra Bhawan in Hailakandi town on October 1 under the auspices of District Water & Sanitation Committee of the Department of Public Health Engineering.

This is one hospital with a difference: Patients don't go to it; it floats to them. The many inaccessible islands in the Brahmaputra river now have a common connecting link-hospital boats from the award-winning project, Ships of Hope-that brings them quality medical care right at their doorstep.

The Union Cabinet, on Thursday, approved the launching of an annual health survey in the Empowered Action Group (EAG) States identified under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) to get a feedback on the impact of schemes being implemented under the Mission.

Even as delayed monsoons and subsequent floods hit Assam, over 2 lakh flood vulnerable people living in the saporis or river islands of the Brahmaputra have been covered with sustained health care for the first time in their lives by the

HAILAKANDI

THE government plans to centralise the purchase of medicines for its dispensaries and healthcare centres across the country, a health ministry official said. The step is being taken after social activists have alleged that a decentralise procurement system is breeding corruption, the official, who did not want to be named, said.