By IANS
Hyderabad : Andhra Pradesh Tuesday launched a Rs.3.24 billion rural health care program with the assistance from the British government’s department for international development (DFID).
The primary aim of the ‘Rajiv Health Mission’ project is to increase the reach of quality health services to the poor people living in the remotest part of the state.
Launching the project, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy said his government was committed to improving healthcare facilities in villages and reducing the infant and maternal mortality rates in the state.
“The programme will help significantly in reducing maternal and infant mortality and improving disease control and reducing disease burden in the state,” he said.
It is anticipated that the latest healthcare initiative will benefit 25 percent of the population that does not currently seek any health care from either the public or private sector.
DFID senior programme manager Steven Young said the project would help check the spread of HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases.
“In order to improve its overall health services, the government of Andhra Pradesh needs to embark upon key reforms which strengthen the convergence with other areas like nutrition, water and sanitation,” Young said.
Andhra Pradesh also benefited from DFID’s funding of central government’s programmes such as pulse polio, and tuberculosis control.
Young said the DFID was working with the centre and state governments on a range of programmes to reduce poverty and achieve the UN-set Millennium Development Goals.
DFID is working with West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh, he pointed out.
Young said DFID disbursed Rs. 19.10 billion (233 million pounds) in India during 2006-07. Out of this, Rs. 2.05 billion (25 million pounds) was targeted for Andhra Pradesh.