100 % support of Centre needed for setting up of 4 new medical colleges: Rout

--State share for NRHM be reduced to 15% from 25%  

BHUBANESWAR: State Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Damodar Rout on Friday demanded before the Union Health Minister for 100 per cent support from the Central Government for setting up of four new medical colleges in the State. Rout pressed the demands before the Centre while attending the two-day meeting of Health Ministers and Secretaries of all States convened by Union Health Minister in New Delhi.

Rout highlighted the development and success in health sector of the State and sought for more central aids for different programmes being implemented in health sector. Expressing grave concern over the health condition of primitive tribals and their low population growth rate, he advocated for greater focus on equity concerns of tribal dominated districts, particularly Kalahandi, Balangir and Koraput (KBK) region where both Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR), as well as mortality and morbidity rates are low due to various diseases, especially malaria and diarrhea continue to be high.

    

In the last 11 years, Rout stated, the State has made significant strides in bringing down IMR and MMR. During this period, there has been a decline of 39 points in IMR. This decline is the highest in the country, he claimed.

“However, despite these efforts, the IMR of Odisha which now stands at 57 per thousand live births and MMR, which stands at 258 per lakh live births, are still higher than the corresponding national figures and this is a matter of concern for all of us,” said Rout, adding, “Development and up- gradation of health infrastructures in the State is a priority for which we need Centre’s full support.”

Rout has also drawn the attention of the Union Health Minister for opening of Regional Geriatric and Cancer Centers in Government medical colleges and to sanction more ANM and GNM training centers for the State. Further, Rout also urged to enhance the Central Government share being provided through NRHM in which the State Government share be reduced from 25 per cent to 15 pert cents.

Health and Family Welfare secretary Pradeepta Kumar Mohapatra and Mission Director of NRHM (Odisha) Dr Pramod Meherda attended the meeting.