Centre to make skull mark on beedi packets mandatory

Chennai, Aug 26 (UNI) The Centre will bring in an amendment bill in the ongoing Parliament session, making skull mark on beedi packets mandatory, Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss said today.

Speaking to newspersons after inaugurating the Dr A Ramachandran's Diabetes Hospital and India Diabetes Research Foundation here, he said his Ministry would give unilateral recognition for PG medical programmes abroad. Recognition for the medical courses in US, UK, New Zealand, Australia and Singapore would also be given.

Stating that Rs 100 crore was allotted to the Egmore Maternity Hospital for establishing a Centre of Excellence, the first-of-its kind in India, he said the funds would be utilised for enhancing activities, including training to nurses and para-medical staff.

On ASHA project, he said of the total 6.20 lakh nurses, 2.80 lakh nurses had already been appointed to work in rural health centres and the remaining would be filled up in a phased manner.

Dr Ramadoss said the government had been working on making physical education compulsory for schools as part of urban planning.

UNI