CM LAUNCHED DOORSTEP HEALTHCARE, THE GOVERNMENT’S FLAGSHIP SCHEME

Mr Stalin gave shape to his dreams after assuming office as Chief Minister on May 7. And within 100 days, he launched Healthcare at doorsteps – the flagship scheme to ensure quality healthcare to all at their doorsteps. In fact, Mr Stalin was more elaborate on the proposed National Health Policy while addressing the Party’s Medical wing.with new diseases emerging, affecting all sections of the society, particularly rural masses, there is an urgent need to evolve a national health policy, considering both communicable and non-communicable diseases, he had said. As a first step, the policy can be evolved at state level by strengthening the infrastructure facilities in Primary Health Centres and also referral units, so that the affordable health care reached the villages, Stalin had elaborated.

Referring to the UN guidelines, which suggested quality and affordable healthcare to all by 2030, Stalin had said that the DMK after coming to power, would roll out many more such schemes.

When he inaugurated the ‘Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam’ – an innovative initiative to provide healthcare services to the people at their doorsteps at Samanapalli Village in Krishnagiri district, he knew he was fulfilling his promise made five years ago.

The scheme, inaugurated in seven other districts in the first phase, would change the mode of preliminary healthcare delivery by taking it to the doorsteps of the people, Mr Stalin said. The scheme will screen those above 45 years of age and others with infirmities through door-to-door check-ups. 'Makkalaithedimaruthuvam' will also detect non-communicable diseases that may lead to sudden mortalities and impact people's quality of life. Women public health workers, women health volunteers (WHV), physiotherapists, and nurses would be involved in providing healthcare at the doorsteps of the people, Mr Stalin said. The scheme was simultaneously launched in Thanjavur, Tirunelveli, Madurai, Tiruchi, Coimbatore, Chennai Salem districts with a cumulative allocation of Rs 258 crore and targeted coverage of 1 crore people from 30 lakh families. “This is the major healthcare scheme of the DMK government and Chief Minister,” Health Minister Ma Subramanian said.

More than 1,200 health workers, 50 physiotherapists, and 50 nurses have been appointed to implement the scheme in seven districts, he said adding the Government, by the end of this year, is planning to implement the scheme across the state after inducting about 25,000 healthcare workers.