“Buildings worth Rs. 1,091 crore built for Health Department”

Buildings worth Rs. 1,091 crore were built for the Health Department and about 30,000 medical personnel recruited in the State in the past four years, according to Health Minister M.R.K. Panneerselvam.

He was speaking at a function held to distribute free colour television sets and free gas connections at Nathamedu in Sethiathope block near here on Friday.

He said that the recruits included 6,070 doctors and 11,940 nurses.

Every year, medicines worth Rs. 636 crore were given to government hospitals across the State, Mr. Panneerselvam said.

A total of 2,03,057 people underwent life-saving treatment to the extent of Rs 537.36 crore under the Kalaignar Health Scheme so far, he added.

A total of 6,26,918 lives were saved through the 108 ambulance service.

Mr. Panneerselvam said that all possible preventive measures had been taken against A (H1N1) influenza for which vaccines were being administered at the general hospitals in Chennai, Coimbatore, Vellore and Cuddalore.

Collector P. Seetharaman said that under the Kalaignar Housing Scheme, 26,119 concrete houses would be built this year and all arrangements had been made for the supply of bricks and other construction materials at reasonable prices.

He noted that the first concrete house was built under the scheme at Thachankadu in Parangipettai block.

He called upon the panchayat presidents to help in the completion of such houses in their areas.

Mr. Panneerselvam gave away 2,397 free colour television sets and 528 free gas connections.

In Cuddalore district as many as 4,86,485 families had been given TV sets so far and 91,000 families free gas connections.

Farm loans amounting to Rs. 246 crore were waived benefiting as many as 1,02,535 farmers.