Dr Ballal lauds proposals to augment healthcare

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Dr Sudarshan Ballal, Chairman of Manipal Hospitals has described the state Budget a reasonable one considering the fact that the Congress government has been in power for only a few weeks and hoped that there would be aggressive implementation of all the budgeted proposals.

Lauding the provision for single use dialyzers and the increase in the number of dialysis centres, he said it would help control infections. Measures to increase screening and treatment of anemia and malnutrition in vulnerable groups is the need of the hour, he said adding that the ‘Brain health initiative’ is a very good idea as there has been a huge increase in mental health issues after Covid.

The Asha Kirana initiative to provide cataract care and spectacles in some of the districts is a welcome move and so is the programme for early diagnosis of TB with hand held X-Rays which will help eradicate TB by 2025, said Dr Ballal.

On the screening for diabetes and high blood pressure patients and delivery of medicines, he felt it is urgently needed to curb the growth of the NCD epidemic. He also lauded the Automated External Defibrillators (AED) installation and training of staff which he felt may prevent many sudden deaths.

The adding of more free CT/MRI centres as a PPP model in district hospitals is a great idea and so is the establishment of a Digital Health Society to implement Ayushman Bharath Digital Mission.

He also welcomed the fund allocation for the ongoing construction of medical colleges and hospitals and said it would help train more doctors in the state.