Health programmes for awareness to be launched: Ramadoss

Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 24 (UNI) Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss today said various programmes will be launched in the country for creating awareness and enabling early detection of various diseases among the people.

Addressing the press here after laying the foundation stone for super speciality hospital, nursing and paramedical blocks in the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College, Dr Ramadoss said a National Urban Health Mission, National Mission for School Children, National Programmes for Prevention of Diabetic, Cardio-Vascular Diseases and for Speech and Hearing would be launched in the country soon.

The medical college has the distinction of being the first among the selected 13 institutions in the country for being converted to Centres of Excellence under the Pradhan Mantri's Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) Scheme.

Terming cancer as the biggest problem in the country, he said the government was trying to address this with major programmes. Cancer was not only a disease, but also a social problem.

Mr Ramadoss said an amount of Rs 2,500 crore to Rs 2,600 crore was likely to be allocated in the XI Five Year Plan as against Rs 280 crore in the X Plan to tackle cancer.

He also said the ICMR had been asked to conduct a study in the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border where there were a number of cancer patients.

UNI