TN health insurance scheme an example to follow: Minister

The Tamil Nadu Government's health insurance scheme is an example for other states to follow, said V.S.Vijay, Minister for Health and Family Welfare, at a function held in the city on Sunday.

The payment by the State Government towards medical insurance of the poor under the medical insurance scheme would spread to other states and poor people across the country would stand to benefit.

He was in Coimbatore to inaugurate the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Hospital Board and declare open the first national conclave, organised by the Coimbatore Chapter of the IMA.

The Government was striving hard under the stewardship of Chief Minister Jayalalithaa to be a leader in healthcare delivery, particularly to the poor and needy. The State was in the forefront of medical facility, both in research and treatment.

Tamil Nadu was also a leader in international medical care.

He assured the IMA that the Government would work in co-ordination with the medical fraternity and non-government organisations to provide healthcare to all citizens. The Government was also ready to lend a sympathetic hearing to all the just demands in serving the society.

Commenting the Hospital Board of India, Dr. Vijay said it was the need of the hour and that need had been fulfilled with the inauguration.

Vinay Aggarwal, National president, IMA, said the Hospital Board of India was formed to ensure that the medical community remained in control of the IMA and activities related to the medical profession.

The Board had many state boards and would have a federal structure. It would have hospitals or hospital associations as its members and would take care of all hospitals' needs like purchase, protocol, patient and hospital safety.

He also said that the IMA had formed the young doctors' association to bring into fold the young doctors.

Zameer Basha, Chairman, IMA and HBI, said the formation of the Hospital Board of India was an unique achievement. He hoped that the HBI would have a say in activities related to the medical field in both the Central and State governments.

Dr. Shanmughasundaram, Secretary, IMA, Coimbatore Chapter, welcomed the gathering. Doctors Appa Rao, Chairman, IMA Leaders' Forum, V.C. Velayudhan Pillai, Past National president, IMA, and others were present on the occasion.