Ludhiana: ‘No. of rural hospitals should be increased’

Ludhiana: Healthcare sector needs improvement, said city doctors while talking to TOI.

Othermologist and president of Indian Doctors for Peace and Development Dr S S Soodan said, “The public spending on health should be increased from the present to 5% in the budget to be presented on July 5 so as to ensure availability of basic healthcare to all. The rural hospitals should be upgraded and their number increased.”

Paediatrician Dr Shakeel Ur Rahman said, “Doctors and paramedical staffs in rural areas should be given incentives and proper facilities to utilize their skills. The district-level hospitals should be modernized. The ESI scheme should be strengthened. Number of ESI hospitals should be doubled from the present 1,500 to 3,000 and the model hospitals from the present 44 to 100 so as to ensure proper health facilities to the workers.

Dr Arun Mitra – ENT specialist, “Drug prices should be streamlined and made affordable. The public sector pharmaceutical units should be strengthened. Medical colleges should be opened in the government sector only.”