CM vows free treatment to BPL families in 5 years time

Alappuzha, Jan 21 (UNI) Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan today said the government would take steps to provide free medical treatment to the people living under Below Poverty Line (BPL) in five years time.

Inaugurating Alappuzha T D Medical College Hospital and Nursing College here, he said the government would formulate a health policy for the purpose and include it in the next five-year plan starting from March.

Mr Achuthanandan said majority of people depended on private medical institutions because of the propaganda by them that the government medical colleges lacked facilities.

The Chief Minister also warned of stern action against such propagandists and ensured to make government medical colleges more effective.

Health Minister P K Sreemathy presided over the function.

UNI