Govt to provide free blood to poor patients

Thiruvananthapuram, June 14 (UNI) The Kerala Government is seriously considering providing lood to financially backward patients free of cost, Kerala Health Minister P K Sreemathy said today.

Inaugurating a World Blood Donors Day function, organised by the State AIDS Control Society here, she said no patient would die for want of blood for their treatment in the State.

Pointing out that women generally stayed away from blood donation, she said that by August, 24 more blood banks would be set up in the State.

Regarding the unauthorised leave of Government doctors, Ms Sreemathy said the Government had taken steps to suspend the doctors, who kept away from duty without taking proper leave.

She said 324 doctors were on leave without taking permission.

However, the Government would give sufficient time to the doctors, who had sought more time to report to duty, she added.

UNI