INTRODUCTION

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??????????????????????????????????????????? In a determined bid to provide " Health coverage for All " this Government has envisaged to provide better health care to all who are in need of it, more particularly those segments of the marginalized, underprivileged and downtrodden people.? A vibrant health policy that ensures prevention of diseases, easy accessibility of services, availability of doctors and qualitative treatment is on the anvil.? Transforming the society into a healthy one? shall be the focus of this Government during 2004 - 2005.

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??????????? A significant reduction in Infant Mortality Rate from 51 per thousand live births in 2000 to? 44 per thousand live births in 2002, besides substantial reduction in crude birth rate from 19.3 per thousand live births to 18.5 per thousand live births over the same period is indicative of the well defined policy frame work and also? sincere efforts of this Government to improve the health profile of the State.? However, the goal to reach is a long way and our efforts will be directed to achieve noticeable progress in the health sector through an integrated and multifaceted approach.? Primarily, strengthening services in Primary Health Centres through positioning of doctors and ensuring uninterrupted supply of medicine forms the main plank of activity. Providing the? services of an additional doctor to be appointed on contract basis in each Upgraded Primary Health Centre and making provision for diagnostic facilities in all upgraded Primary Health Centres, are a few set of actions? proposed to be undertaken to provide better health care services to the rural populace.

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??????????? ?Making operational 24-hour comprehensive emergency obstetric care in two health outfits in every District to provide 24-hour caesarian service during this year, will decelerate Maternal Mortality Rate further.? Similarly, in these outfits comprehensive emergency new born care round the clock will hopefully bring down Infant Mortality Rate further.

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??????????? Tamil Nadu Health System Development Project,? in the final stage of? clearance from the World Bank,? is bound to transform the health senario? of? Tamil Nadu in more than one way.? The underserved and marginalized sections of the society will immensely benefit from the impact of the project besides maximizing the efficiency of public health outfits through institutional arrangements and enhancements in the skill of manpower.? It is our hope that synchronizing with the World Health Day, the Tamil Nadu Health System Development? Project will be? launched.

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??????????? Improving the quality of medical education through revamping the curriculum and syllabus would form yet another focus of attention.? Emergence of new types of diseases caused due to changes in life style of the people and? fear of HIV / AIDS continue to be the daunting task of health planners and administrators.? Efforts will, therefore, be directed towards creating awareness among the public on the necessity to ward off the dreaded diseases through proper training and awareness programme.? Involving all stake holders and sending the right signals through well coordinated strategies will be the prime area of action in the coming year.

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??????????? The State has been fast emerging as a key centre of health care.? During this year, this Government is poised to spruce up the existing facilities in the major Government hospitals, to attract affluent sections of the people from other States/ Countries who seek affordable Medicare.? This apart, this Government will initiate a comprehensive dialogue and a plan of action with the corporate hospitals in the major cities with the aim of inducing them to provide a service package to patients from foreign countries.? In this direction, this Government will also be gearing? to provide the best services available under the Indian systems of Medicine at the Aringnar Anna Government Hospital of Indian Medicine, Chennai.? A world class hospital proposed to be set up at Arumbakkam, Chennai will lure greater number of foreigners? seeking? treatment through the traditional systems of? Medicine .? It will also provide an umbrella of services in health resorts.? All these measures are intended to focus Tamil Nadu as Ultimate Health Destination (U.H.D.) in the Country.

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??????????? Without compromising on the maintenance and up-keep of the hospitals the Government have withdrawn the earlier mode of collection of Out Patient ticket for specialized services in Government hospitals, much to the relief and satisfaction of the poorer sections of the society.?

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??????????? It is the fond hope of the Government that the cumulative effort of all these measures will turn Tamil Nadu into the number One State in providing effective and qualitative health care facilities to all segments of population.

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The provision for Health and Family Welfare Department under Demand No.18 for 2004-2005 is Rs.1387.58 crores as detailed below:-

(Rs. in Crores)

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The provision for 2004-2005 made under Demand No.18, Health and Family Welfare Department Directorate wise will be as follows:-

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a.? Funds towards Civil Works undertaken by Public Works Department have been provided to the tune of Rs.39.26 crores under Demand No.38 and have been included under the respective Directorates.

b.? Provision towards ESI Hospitals for Rs. 85.62 crores has been provided in the Labour and Employment Demand No.31.

c.? Funds for Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society have been included under the Directorate of Medical Education.

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