BHUBANESWAR: The State Cabinet on Wednesday approved several schemes in health and drinking water sectors, including the universal eye health programme, with an expected expenditure of around `2,000 crore to cater primarily to rural population.
The eye health programme, to be implemented for a period of five years from 2018-19 with an estimated cost of `682 crore, aims to generate a baseline data of prevalence of eye diseases in the State through a sample survey, Chief Secretary A P Padhi told mediapersons after the Cabinet meeting.
All diabetic and glaucoma patients will be screened regularly to reduce the prevalence of irreversible blindness in the State, he added.
Five lakh spectacles will be distributed to students under the programme, the Chief Secretary said and added that mobile eye care van will be stationed at all the 30 districts.
Besides, eye care facilities in seven medical colleges will be upgraded, he said.
The Cabinet approved a new scheme, ‘Strengthening of ancillary services in public health facilities’ with a budget of `550.24 crore for five years from 2018-19 to cover 1,814 health institutions.
The Chief Secretary said cleaning and security services implemented in first referral units (FRUs) through outsourced units will be augmented from April 1, 2018 under the new scheme.
The scheme will be implemented under the overall guidance of the Rogi Kalyan Samiti (RKS), he said.
The estimated cost for provision of free diagnostic and dialysis services for all types of patients at public health facilities will be around `596.28 crore for five years.
Universal eye health programme The Council of Ministers approved the budget for 2018-19, which is likely to touch `1,20,000 crore The eye health programme aims to generate a baseline data of prevalence of eye diseases in the State through a sample survey Five lakh spectacles will be distributed to students under the programme Provision of `1,000 crore in 2018-19 under BASUDHA scheme to ensure every rural household has access to safe water Proposal for amendment to Odisha Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1956 to enforce the provision of display of signboard in Odia language prominently by the employers of all shops and commercial establishments of the State approved