The paradoxical health policy

During the tenure of Dr. Y S Rajasekhara Reddy as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, a government sponsored cashless hospitalization scheme named "Rajiv Aarogya Shree" was rolled out by the A.P. State Government. The then CM YSR claimed that the purpose of this scheme was to ensure even the poorest of the people get access to treatment in corporate hospitals. This was a very huge program and involved huge governmental expenditure.

Now, let us look at what the responsibility of the Health Ministry at the State Governmental level. The health ministry is supposed to look after the development of all primary health centres, general hospitals, and other state run hospitals. Needless to say, the government has an obligation to use the tax-payers' money to improve the infrastructure of the state run hospitals and also attract best doctors in the country to work in those hospitals. 

Instead of taking up the initiative to improve the existing state of the government run hospitals and make sure that these hospitals provide healthcare on par with the private hospitals, I seriously don't understand the reason behind the government spending such huge expenditure on corporate hospitals. Here, in case we feel that it's important to have a free market economy in place, then, the government should totally absolve itself from the responsibility of maintaining any health centres or hospitals and only concentrate on the implementation of the public health insurance schemes. This will in fact ensure better and uniform medical services to all classes of people irrespective of their financial stature and the competition between hospitals will improve leading to cost effective healthcare for common people.

If this government sponsored cashless hospitalization scheme for the poor is made popular all over the country, what will be the future of the government run hospitals? They will only become sources of misappropriation of public funds in the disguise of expenditure.

"Greenest Games Ever!", says Kalmadi (FAKE)

With allegations of large scale corruption doing rounds in the media, CWG organizer Suresh Kalmadi convened a press conference to clarify. Speaking to the reporters in New Delhi, Mr. Kalmadi said that he is deeply saddened by the allegations even when the work was being done on par with the international standards. 

When asked the reason why even toilet paper was purchased at Rs.16999.00 per roll, Mr. Kalmadi said that the paper was of highest quality and is reusable. "CWG is conscious about the environment. Paper is made by cutting down trees and we can't afford to waste such a precious resource. This will be the greenest games ever.", said a confident Kalmadi.

Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dixit welcomed Kalmadi's views. "I appreciate Mr.Kalmadi's concern for a greener Delhi and a greener India. We have passed a resolution to reuse the paper in our Delhi assembly's dining halls and toilets." said the Delhi CM.

However, Kalmadi didn't find many takers of his views from the main opposition BJP. "Shiela Dixit and Suresh Kalmadi are misleading the nation by covering up the corruption. I would like to question if the suppliers of the paper are Congress party's son-in-laws", said a visibly infuriated BJP president Nitin Gadkari.

Kalmadi's decision has triggered protests all across the country. In Mumbai, activists of the right wing extremist party MNS were seen throwing used toilet paper all across the streets. The Bajrang Dal and Shiv Sena have called for a nation wide bandh of all public toilets to protest the decision. "We can't accept this. Using toilet paper is against the Hindu culture. We traditionally clean our a**** with water.", said Bal Thackarey, in his party's mouthpiece 'Saamna'.

The All India Khap Panchayats association too convened an urgent meeting to review the developments. "We are closely monitoring the developments. We will strongly oppose any move that is against the Indian culture and tradition. If required, we'll order some honor killings.", said a press release by the Khaps association before the meeting.