Centre for more public investment in health sec

Agartala, May 26: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has announced increase public investment in thehealth sector of the northeastern states to facilitate all modern services at a minimum cost and earmarked Rs 1013 crore for the region in the current fiscal.

Official sources here today said the ministry had also emphasised on achieving reduction in disease prevalence, infant mortality, maternal mortality and the total fertility rate.

As part of the programme, the ministry had decided to take over the management of LGB Regional Institute of Mental Health, Tezpur, while Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal, and Regional Institute of Paramedical and Nursing, Aizawl, had already been taken over by the centre.

The ministry had asked the NE states to pay special attention to the region and decided to utilise 33 per cent of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) funds for the purpose, officials informed.

According to state health department, Centre had praised Tripura, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Asom for the initiatives taken to utilise the expertise of Tamil Nadu Medical Supply Corporation (TNMSC) for assisting Medical colleges and civil hospitals in the region.

UNI