Jharkhand tries privatiosation in health targeting BPL

Ranchi, July 13 (UNI) Taking principles of accessibility, affordability, availability and accountability, the Jharkhand government with major corporate houses has initiated the country's first public-private parnership to ensure medical treatment for the state's BPL population.

The project, to be run by a committe - Sarva Swasthya Mission Trust - will be formed in partnership with major corporates like Tata, Essar and the Jindal groups.

The Tata group had already conmfirmed a contribution of Rs 25 crore per annum for next 30 years, official sources said here today adding the other groups' commitment was expected soon.

The non-profit charitable trust, to be independently run by a mission management group reporting to the trust, with its own executive organisation would function on the principles of accessibility, affordability, availability, and accountability for the services when it offered to the BPL section, the sources said.

The experiment is based on a new concept of health security that will facilitate the protection of the poor from indebetness as a result of the high cost of medical treatment.

UNI PRS SJC MSJ HS2142