K'taka to launch Programme to help SC/ST heart and kidney patients

Bangalore, July 7 (UNI) The Karnataka Government will soon introduce a project to help people belonging to Scheduled Caste/Tribe in getting treatment for Heart and Kidney diseases, Minister for Health R Ashok said today.

Addressing gathering organised to celebrate completion of 300 free surgeries conducted by the super specialty hospital Narayana Hrudayala with a Philanthropic organisation 'Have A Heart' here, said that under this first phase project of the Health Department the government would contribute Rs 35,000 per patient.

"Negotiations are on with Narayana Hrudayalaya and Jayadeva Heart Hospital for a tie to launch the project. The project would be launched within one month," he added.

Mr Ashok said that in the Second phase it was proposed to introduce Health Insurance in the State. Already Rs 35 Crore has been earmarked for the scheme in the Budget.

The Minister said that Rs 1290 Crore has been allotted for Health Department in this year's Budget and the proposals before the government includes upgradation of Primary Health Centres, Taluk and District Hospitals and providing better infrastructure in all the Hospitals in the State.

Stating that in the present day providing medical treatment has been commercialised, Mr Ashok lauded the role played by Narayana Hrudayalaya Chairman Dr Devi Shetty and Dr Manohar of 'Have A Heart' in saving 300 lives, most of who were children.

Dr Manohar, in his address, said that 'Have A Heart' came into being about two years ago when a lady came to his 'Seva Free Clinic' with her child who needed an open heart surgery immediately to save his life but she had no money. "It took me about 10 minutes and 5-6 telephone calls to collect enough money to save this child. And thus gave birth to the organisation to which philanthropists contribute from Rs 1000 to Rs Three lakhs for the cause," he added.

Renowned Heart Surgeon Dr Shetty said that his hospital, where more than 30 heart surgeries were conducted per day, has a special package offer of Rs 60,000 to the poor and the needy and now this was also taken care by 'Have A Heart'.

Some of the parents of the children who underwent surgery through 'Have A Heart' also present on the occasion and recollected their experience and thanked the organisation.

UNI