UPA taking healthcare seriously

CHENNAI: Using the increased healthcare spend allotted in the Union Budget 2012-13 as an immediate example, Union Minister for Shipping GK Vasan said that the UPA was “awake and aware” to the need for better healthcare in India. He said, “The spend has been increased to almost Rs 30,000 crore from the existing Rs 26,000 crore, for the next year. This is a significant improvement and much more will come.” Vasan also refuted the charge that the budget was an urban-centric one and pointed out that the allottment to the National Rural Health Mission had been allotted over Rs 20,000 crore for the next financial year. He spoke while dedicating Dr Mohans Diabetes Specialities Centre at Gopalapuram as the ‘Dr Rema Mohan Campus’, here on Sunday. It was fitting that the dedication came now as Dr Rema, the wife of noted diabetologist Dr V Mohan tragically passed away on March 25, last year.While a statue of the deceased ophthalmologist was unveiled by the Union Minister, he also inaugurated a mini museum dedicated to her — a collection of photographs, certificates, instruments and interesting memorabilia, kept at the centre. To keep her memory alive and also spread the word about her legacy, Dr Mohan and their daughter Dr RM Anjana have compiled a book that records her life and work.Dr NSD Raju, President of the All India Ophthalmological Society announced that every year, the Society would honour her memory by giving away the Dr Rema Mohan Award to budding ophthalmologists at their annual conference. As a professional tribute, Dr Mohan Rajan, CMD-Rajan Eye Care Hospital said that a gold medal in her name would be awarded to a deserving graduate of the Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University, every year.