Govt opts private care to deliver health services

BHUBANESWAR: Children with heart diseases and eye complications can now avail free treatment at the country’s two leading healthcare institutions while thalassemia and sickle-cell anaemia patients will have access to better care along with people of inaccessible areas who will be served by digital dispensaries.
With an aim to improve healthcare facilities and provide better services, the State Government on Tuesday signed MoUs with Glocal Health Care Systems Pvt Ltd, Centre for Stem Cell Research of Christian Medical College, Narayana Hrudayalaya and LV Prasad Eye Institute.

The Kolkata-based Glocal Healthcare Systems has been roped in for implementation of digital dispensary project in at least 14 locations of Nabarangpur district in the first phase. The facility will be provided at 11 more locations basing on the outcome of the previous ones.These dispensaries will deliver primary healthcare and function as OPD where patients can have virtual consultation with doctors through video conferencing. The State Government has made an allocation of `4 crore per annum for the project.
The digital dispensaries will be opened at Badamsigaon, Benora, Binjhili, Majhidhanua, Kaudola, Koskonga, Sanabareli, Badatemara, Chakalapadar, Telanadigaon, Manchagram, Dhodipani, Godakhunta and Jharbandhgudi.

The State Government has entered into a five-year collaboration with Centre for Stem Cell Research of Vellore-based Christian Medical College for better detection and treatment of thalassaemia and sickle-cell anaemia. The partnership with the institution will help reduce major haemoglobinopathy disorders through screening, counselling, pre-natal diagnosis with an appropriate technology and possible curative options.
While around 25,000 thalassaemia, sickle-cell anaemia and haemophilia patients have been detected so far, they are now being provided treatment under the Odisha sickle-cell project in 12 high-prevalence districts.

Similarly, the Bengaluru-based multi-speciality hospital chain Narayana Hrudayalaya (NHL) has been partnered with to provide faster and better access to children detected with different heart diseases. Children suffering from congenital heart diseases and rheumatic heart diseases can receive required surgery through the health facility on a sustained basis.

So far 820 children have been detected with heart complications and treated under Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) scheme. Children below 18 years diagnosed with heart diseases will have now access to free surgery and treatment at NHL.    

The MoU with City-based LV Prasad Eye Institute will be helpful in providing specialised care to children for treatment of congenital cataract and retinopathy or prematurity. Altogether, 2,436 children with eye disorders, including 1,026 with congenital cataract have been treated under RBSK.After signing of the MoUs, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said these health institutions of national repute will help improve healthcare facilities and deliver quality services in the State. Among others, Health Minister Pratap Jena and members of the Council of Ministers were present.