Karnataka

Karnataka has utilised only 34 percent of the entire fund provided by the Union government under the National Health Mission. The Centre had allocated a total of Rs 1,280 crore for improving healthcare infrastructure, but the State has yet to spent Rs 850 crore, says report.

Taking not of it, Health Minister B. Sreeramulu on Monday pulled up District Health Officers (DHOs) and held a marathon review meeting.

“The department is unable to utilise the funds given to them. If this is the case, how will you ask for funds the following year?” Minister was quoted as saying.

Blaming poor planning, he said that several hospitals were even unaware of the procedure to purchase drugs with the funds given to them. Peeved with the record, he set a deadline till December to utilise the remaining funds.

While more than 10 districts, including Koppal, Ballari, Raichur, Bidar, and Bengaluru Urban, have utilised less than 30% of the funds, Dakshina Kannada has spent nearly 42%, as per the report.

The Health Minister also highlighted various gaps on front of Ayushman Bharat-Arogya Karnataka (AB-ArK).

“There is a need to bring in certain reforms in the current model of AB-ArK scheme as private hospitals refuse to treat patients without referrals given by government hospitals. In such a situation, the scheme is of no use to poor patients, especially during emergencies,” he said.

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