2,000 medicines to become cheaper: Nadda

Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda has said nearly 2,000 medicines will be made available at rates up to 90 per cent less than the maximum retail price (MRP) under the Amrut Scheme.

"Two thousand medicines will be made available at 60 to 90 percent less rates than the MRP," said the Minister on Saturday while addressing the foundation stone laying ceremony here of the proposed Super Specialty Block of Jabalpur Medical College.

He said such retail stores would also be opened in Madhya Pradesh.

Nadda said the central government would provide all necessary assistance to the Madhya Pradesh government to improve the state's health care facilities.

The Minister also said the construction of the Super Specialty block, being built at a cost of Rs 150 crore, would result in provision of quality medical facilities in the state.

He also announced setting up of a State Cancer Institute at a cost of Rs 120 crore, a trauma centre and the establishment of Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) dispensary here.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who was also present on the occasion, said that after the construction of the super specialty block, the people of Jabalpur and nearby districts would not have to go outside the state for treatment.

"To provide better health services to the people is the biggest responsibility of any government. Up to Rs 2 lakh has been entrusted to collectors under the Rajya Bimari Sahayata Scheme," Chouhan said.

Joint Secretary of the Prime Minister Health Security Scheme Sunil Sharma said the construction work will be completed by December 2017 and the block will have a 206-bed capacity.

"The hospital will have six operation theatres, 30 ICU beds, eight private rooms and 18 dialysis beds," he added.

--IANS

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