Kalam launches 'Rajiv Arogya Sri' programme in AP

Hyderabad, Aug 15 (UNI) Former President A P J Abdul Kalam today launched 'Rajiv Arogya Sri' programme, which integrates Emergency Management and Research Institute (EMRI) sponsored 108 services and Health Management and Research Institue (HMRI) sponsored 104 and the State Government's 'Arogya Sri' Health Insurance scheme, to provide medical treatment to all Below Poverty Line(BPL) families free of cost.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Kalam, who is also the Chairman of Emeritus of EMRI, said the integration of three services would help the people to get medical treatment instantly without any human loss. 108 emergency services, launched under Public and Private Partnership (PPP) scheme by the Satyam Foundation and the State Government had saved many people since 2005.

Lauding the Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy's government for taking up slew of measures to provide free medical and health facilities to the poor, he said there was a need to create National Emergency Management services on the lines of EMRI, with the assistance of Centre and State Govenrments, participation of Corporate sector and decentralisation of EMRI services.

Calling upon every citizen to take part in the endeavour of the State Government, Dr Kalam said ''removing the pain of the people is a God's mission.'' Dr Reddy said 95 per cent of the cost of EMRI and HMRI was borne by the Govenrment and the balance amount came from Satyam Foundation. The Government would introduce Arogya Sri Health Insurance scheme in all districts, as the pilot project taken up in three districts, got positive results in a big way, he added.

Stating that the Government was also planning to merge the noted '100' services into 108 service in future, Dr Reddy said 55,000 trained Health Volunteers would be pressed into service to make the programme successful.

Satyam Foundation Chairman Ramalinga Raju and State Finance Minister K Rosaiah were, among others present on the occasion.

UNI