Now, clinical specialists for AP govt hospitals

Vijayawada, Jul 26: Andhra Pradesh government today announced a new initiative in the health sector under which clinical specialists could offer their services free of cost or on an honorarium in all government hospitals.

"This is a first-of-its-kind initiative in the country. Clinical specialists can come forward voluntarily to offer their services in all government hospitals. Or, we will pay them honorarium through the 'NTR Vaidya Seva'. It can be a part-time, full-time or short-time service," Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has said.

The state Cabinet approved the new scheme under which clinical specialists not only in AP but also in other parts of the country and even in the UN could enrol.

"We will open a specialist service cell and create a website through which the specialists could enrol. We will follow Medical Council of India norms fully," the Chief Minister said.

"I have recently discussed this with Bill Gates and he readily agreed to support our initiative through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. We will soon enter into an MoU with the Foundation to ensure universal health coverage in the state," Chandrababu added.

The Cabinet, he said, also approved setting up the Indian Institute of Plantation Management in Krishna district. While the Centre would provide a grant of Rs 13 crore, the state would chip in with Rs 10 crore for the premier institute, which would be the third in the country after Bengaluru and Jorhat. "This will be a centre of excellence and will help our horticulture mission in a big way," he added.

PTI