Wednesday, 18 August 2021 | PNS | Dehradun
207 types of the pathological tests would be done free of cost in the government hospitals
In what can be termed as a pre-election gift to the people of the state, the Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami kick started the free pathology test scheme at Deen Dayal Upadhyaya hospital (Coronation) here on Tuesday. Started under the public private participation model on the funds made available by the National Health Mission (NHM), 207 types of the pathological tests would be done free of cost in the government hospitals of the state. The scheme would be implemented in two phases. In the first phase, the scheme would commence in 38 district sub hospitals and community health centres in the six districts of Almora, Tehri, Dehradun, Nainital, Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar. The free pathology test scheme would be implemented in the remainder of the districts in the second phase.
Speaking on the occasion, Dhami said that the people standing at the end of the society would benefit from the scheme. He said that the government is committed to provide benefits of the social welfare schemes to every citizen.
The CM asserted that the state government is focussing on strengthening the state health services and the services are improving at a fast pace. He said that 72 per cent of the state has received the first dose of the vaccine against Covid-19 and 23 per cent have received the second dose. Dhami claimed that the state would complete the target of 100 per cent vaccination by December end. The state has received 17 lakh vaccines this month and the number is expected to increase next month. He said that the union government has extended its full support to Uttarakhand in the last seven years.
The health minister, Dhan Singh Rawat said that a very good beginning has been made with the start of the free pathology test scheme. He said that big ceremonies would be organised in every district to make people aware about the scheme. The minister said that a total of 3.17 people have received the benefit of Atal Ayushman Uttarakhand Yojana (AAUY).
A budget of Rs 5 Crore has been earmarked for the scheme in the financial year 2021-22. The secretary health Amit Negi, director general (DG), health services, Dr Tripti Bahuguna, Director NHM, Dr Saroj Naithani and others were present on the occasion.
