'Privatisation won't affect poor'
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 12 2013 : Privatisation of the four District Hospitals of the State under Public Private Partnership (PPP) model would enhance development in the health sector, said Health and Family Welfare Deputy Secretary Dr K Shyamsunder.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the prize distribution function of the 3rd Journalists' Sports Meet at Manipur Press Club, Dr Shyamsunder said, opposition from some political parties and organisations to the State Government's plan to privatise the district hospitals of Thoubal, Ukhrul, Bishnupur and Churachandpur is due to mis-communication.

Contending that privatisation of these hospitals would not give any negative impact to poor families, Dr Shyamsunder said that these hospitals would not charge higher fees like the existing private hospitals.

Treatment charge of these hospitals would be fixed under the Central Government Health Scheme 2010, he said and added that under the scheme, the Government would bear part of the treatment and examination charges for the patients suffering from serious ailments.

Manipur has less than nine hospital beds per 1000 persons against the global average of 14 hospitals per 1000 persons, Dr Shyamsunder said.

Saying that even Apollo Hospital, New Delhi is being run under PPP model, Shyamsunder pointed out that the model has been successfully adopted in several States including Punjab, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Chhatishgarh, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh etc.

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