Tribune News Service
New Delhi, January 16

Merely 34 per cent of the total rural population in India have access to diagnostic centres for chronic ailments like diabetes, heart and kidney diseases, says a study carried out by the Chronic Care Foundation (CCF).

ALAMGIR HOSSAIN
Domkal, Jan. 13: Farmers of a Murshidabad village have donated three bighas (an acre) and promised to raise money to buy more land for a hospital at a time the government is struggling to arrange plots for new projects.

In a bid to inject fresh life into Bihar's rural medicare system, the State Government has taken a major policy decision by upgrading the existing 533 primary health centres into community health centres equipped with all modern medical gadgets.

Newly inducted Rajasthan Medical and Health Minister Aimaduddin Ahmed Khan on Tuesday said his department would render quality health care services to the people and function with sensitivity to the issues directly affecting the public health and hygiene.

Poverty has become big business in India.

Soon tribals would not have to travel far for treatment.

Non-government organisations (NGOs) will do more than just social service. The state government will now entrust them with the job of running hospitals.

The Alma-Ata Declaration of 1978 on Primary Health Care together with the slogan of Health for All by 2000 AD is considered one of the most significant public health initiatives of the 20th century. The 30th anniversary of the declaration provides an opportune time to revisit its history and arrive at some fresh perspectives.

Upon an examination of the development of health services in India, it is evident that the primary health care strategy was a logical outcome and justification for health policies that were (and are) antithetical to the principle of social justice.

DH News Service, Bangalore:

Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa on Saturday announced the introduction of a new health scheme, 'Arogya Suraksha Yojana' scheme that offers free medical insurance to those coming under the BPL (Below Poverty Line).

Binayak Sen, a paediatrician and vice-president of the People

Pages