Karnataka: Drugs at discount to the poor

BANGALORE: In order to help poor patients, the state government has decided to provide generic drugs at 50 per cent discount in hospitals attached to the government medical colleges in the state.Medical Education Minister S A Ramdas on Friday said that generic drug shops will start functioning on June 15 in all medical colleges and would offer round-the-clock -service. “Many reputed drug companies have come forward to supply generic drugs at 50 per cent discount on minimum retail price,” Ramdas said. There are ten hospitals attached to medical colleges. This apart, the department has also planned to offer MRI and CT scan services at discount in such hospitals. “We are planning to provide these services with the help of private participants. Hopefully, it would materialise in two months,” he said.Based on the recommendations by the committee headed by Justice N K Patil, which is looking into the issue of malnutrition in the state, the department has planned to set up 20-bed rehabilitation centres for malnourished children in all hospitals under its jurisdiction.  “These centres will have a kitchen - to prepare food for inmate children, a playing area and TV room,” Ramdas said adding that instructions have been sent to all hospitals to set up these centres on priority.Apollo Contract TerminatedFollowing public complaints, the state government has terminated the contract given to the Hyderabad-based Apollo Hospitals Group to run the Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital in Raichur.“We have decided to take back the hospital as is where is basis. A team of three doctors has been set up to complete the formalities,” he said, adding that the hospital would be handed over to Raichur Medical College from June 1.Permanent Affiliation to Medical Colleges Bidar, Raichur and Shimoga medical colleges have got permanent affiliation from the Medical Council of India (MCI). With this the state government’s headache to seek MCI’s permission annually to admit students has ended. Ramdas said that the government was also planning to increase intake in all medical colleges from next year. Government medical colleges have got 49 more seats this year, he added.