CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Health secretary Dr J Radhakrishnan on Tuesday expressed concern that the graying population is missing out on healthcare and urged the private sector to reach out to the population.
Delivering the keynote address during the seventh edition of TANCARE 2014 organised by Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the state government, Radhakrishnan said that lot of population above 60 years are left out from healthcare as they are helpless and without any care as their children would have migrated to far off places.
He said that then Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa had raised the issue with the Centre following which the Centre has agreed to set up National Institute of ageing. The Rs 150 crore institute will be set up in Chennai once the cabinet gets approval.
“We have all the infrastructure in place,” Radhakrishnan said. He also said that the state government is planning to have Medical Council of India cell as well as research cell in every medical college.
This would ensure the colleges are properly regulated besides providing translational cure for patients who have lost hope.
He also said that healthcare in the state would be one of the sectors which would be showcased during the Global investors Meet.
He also highlighted the potential of medical tourism in the state and said that the government is also planning to develop the tier-two cities and looking at western as well as southern belts to provide quality care.
“We are looking beyond accessibility and affordability. Our focus is now on satisfaction levels of healthcare offered by the state,” he said.