Union Minister launches seven healthcare schemes Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad on Sunday said that Assam has emerged as role model in the health sector of the country by implementing the highest number of schemes under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM). Launching the 102 National Ambulance Service and Tele Radiology Project along with five other schemes – MCTS Call Centre, 14 Maternity & Child Health (MCH) Wings, National Iron+ Initiative, Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) and National Health Mission Free Drug Service – under the NRHM here, Azad lauded the State government’s initiative in the health sector. The 102 ambulance service would provide quality transportation of patients to hospitals, Azad said. “The 102 National Ambulance Service will respond and reach patients within half an hour, besides transporting pregnant women and infants from home to hospital and if required back to home as well,” he said, adding, “The ambulance service will facilitate a comprehensive healthcare management.” The Union Minister also launched the Tele Radiology Project under the NRHM with an aim to make radiology services available and affordable to the entire rural populace of Assam. The Rs 22 crore Tele Radiology Project has been initiated in 11 districts of the State and the facility would be gradually expanded with patients able to download their reports assessed by experts stationed at Guwahati or Bangalore without taking the trouble of visiting the hospital, the Union Minister added. He admitted that cancer cases have been increasing in recent years and there is shortage of radiologists in the country. He said that during the last nine years of UPA’s rule, many schemes have been launched across the country, particularly for the development of the rural sector. The Union Minister said that the Central government has so far spent more than Rs 95,000 crore for the construction of new hospitals and renovation of the existing ones. “More than 1.5 lakh doctors and paramedical personnel have been already trained and appointed while 9 lakh ASHA workers are working under the NRHM,” he added. The minister also announced that Assam would be given Rs 100 crore to provide 200 types of medicines free to the patients. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, in his speech, said that the inauguration of these healthcare schemes would immensely benefit the poorest of the poor in the State. State Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was also among those who spoke on the occasion.