Journalism of Courage
After putting the state government on the backfoot with its scheme for cheap houses for poor women in urban areas,the state Congress on Tuesday announced free supply of 250 essential and life-saving drugs to patients at all government hospitals and health centres if it came to power after the Assembly elections due this year-end.
The announcement was made at a press conference addressed by Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee(GPCC) president Arjun Modhwadia,Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Shaktisinh Gohil and partys election campaign committee chairman Shankersinh Vaghela as its 5th point under the Gujarat Praja Vikas Darshan-2012 at the partys state headquarters here.
The Congress leaders said they would make it possible by constituting an autonomous Gujarat Medical Service Corporation (GMSC) on the lines of the one set up by the neighbouring Rajasthan government for supplying life-saving drugs free of cost and subsidising other drugs drastically.
The trio also announced to provide free treatment for cancer,heart and kidney problems to poor people and at negligible rates to middle-class people.
The other related promises made by the Congress include:
-Health cover for up to Rs 30,000 for which state govt will pay premium; for additional insurance cover,there will be a public-private partnership system
-Generic medicines,which cost 70% less than the branded ones,to be made available at all government hospitals and health centres
-Yoga,gymnasium and nature cure centres to be opened at parks and public places
-Alternative therapies like ayurveda,homeopathy and Unani to be strengthened.
