The Hindu : Over 10,000 screened under master check-up scheme

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Dec 24, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

Over 10,000 screened under master check-up scheme

By Our Staff Reporter

CHENNAI Dec. 23. At least 60 per cent in the 21-50 age group, who were screened under a Master Health Check-up Scheme, suffered from a variety of illnesses, the Minister for Health, S. Semmalai, said here today.

Inaugurating the academic committee of Government Royapettah Hospital, Mr. Semmalai urged doctors to encourage women to come for medical tests and reach out to slum dwellers.

Of more than 10,000 people screened under the MHCS, 6, a total of 260 were found suffering from diabetes, blood pressure, anaemia, peptic ulcer and cardiovascular problems, A. Diwakar, Incharge, Master Health Check-up, said. Men (6,112) attached more importance to health than women (3,803). Only 85 children availed themselves of the scheme.

The scheme included blood tests, an ECG examination, ultra sound scanning and screening for major illnesses. A follow-up check up was also arranged. Sixtyfive people, found suffering from breast cancer and three from prostate cancer, were given treatment. As many as 2,000 people suffered from diabetes, blood pressure and heart-related problems.

Though the scheme was priced low, 62 per cent of the people with an annual income of Rs. 1 lakh and above availed themselves of the scheme, whereas 24 per cent came under the Rs. 40,000-Rs. 1 lakh category. Only two per cent earned below Rs. 10,000.

C. Ravindranath, Director of Medical Education, invited the middle class to avail itself of the services of government-run hospitals.

The self-generating scheme cost Rs. 250 per person. From this, Rs.100 went to the Government, while Rs. 150 went to the hospital benefit fund for reinvestment in equipment. Specialised treatment, surgery and tests were done at no further cost.

He said the Stanley Medical College, which had a similar programme, now reinvested in sonograms, scanners and other high-tech instruments.

A corpus fund of Rs. 5 crores allowed for free open-heart surgeries, knee replacements and renal transplants. Patients must produce a nativity certificate and an income certificate.

Srikumari Damodaran, Deputy Superintendent of KMC, said the ratio of men to women, who availed themselves of the scheme, was 10: 6.

Patients who suffered from anaemia and tuberculosis would benefit from early detection. Dr. Thirunarayan, Superintendent, GRH, said the committee was set up with a view to encouraging research in medicine.

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