UPA GOVERNMENT: Affordable healthcare remains top priority

Ludhiana, November 17, 2012: Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting (Independent charge) Manish Tewari has said that the affordable healthcare across the country was among the top most priorities of the United Progressive Alliance government.

He said, the Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad in particular was very keen to ensure affordable healthcare and improve the public health facilities in the country.

Inaugurating the Paediatric Haematology Oncology Conference 2012 organised jointly by the Department of Paediatrics Dayanand Medical College and Hospital and the Indian Academy of Paediatrics in association with the Arpita Cancer Society here last evening, Manish Tewari said, affordable healthcare was still beyond the reach of the common man. He said, at times even the middle class families get economically devastated in spending for the treatment of a disease.

Referring to the National Rural Health Mission of the UPA, he said, a similar healthcare programme was being envisaged for the urban areas also. He said, the country needed a proper healthcare architecture that will make affordable healthcare possible for everyone.

Tewari lauded the efforts of the Arpita Cancer Society for coming to the aid of the needy. He said, it was indeed a noble job and the society needed such organisations to provide aid and relief to the needy.

Among others, Sunil Kant Munjal Chairman Hero Corporate Services, Dr Daljeet Singh Principal DMC, Rama Munjal, chairperson Arpita Cancer Society and Dr Praveen Sobti were among those who spoke.