Not fund shortage, but states inability to use money impacts health programmes: Nadda

NEW DELHI, Mar 24:
The fund shortage is never an issue on the success or failure of a national programme in the healthcare sector, the real handicap is the inability of the state to ‘absorb’ the central grant and make optimum use of it, the Lok Sabha was informed today.
The Health and  Family Welfare Minister JP Nadda told the House during Question Hour that in several cases, the states have not been able to use the funds.
Otherwise, he maintained the Centre is providing three-fold assistance to the states to improve upon health services — including financial, technical and also to build up infrastructures.
Answering to supplementary questions from Rajiv Satav of Congress, he said the Government is seized of the on-going stir of doctors in Maharashtra and said accordingly all the states have been directed to ensure safety and security of the doctors.
Doctors in Maharashtra have gone on strike across the state to protest against lack of security.
To a query from BJP member Hari Om Panday, the Health Minister admitted there is “waiting period” for certain surgeries due to “ever increasing pressure” on infrastructure and manpower in the leading Government hospitals in the capital like AIIMS, Ram Manohor Lohia Hospital and Safdarjung Hospital.
But to a question whether the Government will provide financial assistance for surgeries to patients belonging to poor and marginalised segments, Mr Nadda said, “Health is a state subject and it is the responsibility of the state to make efforts to provide adequate health care facilities”.
The Minister also disclosed that for AIIMS at Patna, new batch of faculty will be appointed by December this year.
To a question from Outer Manipur constituency, Thangso Baite, the Health Minister said the appointment of a Director at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal was “delayed” due to a court case.
“The matter has been settled and the appointment will be made soon as the interview is also done,” Mr Nadda said.       (UNI)

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