“Ministry of Health would become more transparent in its functioning”

If you were expecting him to behave in the quintessential Bollywood phillum manner, you would not be disappointed. Shatgrughan Sinha, walks, talks and behaves in a dramatic manner, as if he is still trying to steal the thunder from the hero, trying to establish his talent as the anti-hero. One can obeserve his face becoming a little grave when talking about the gloom that prevails in the healthcare scenario. He suddenly raises his octave to passionately articulate the immediate reforms necessary to change the scenario. And quite impressively, he has memorised all the health statistics to prove his point. In an interview with Rita Dutta, he discusses the plans up his sleeve to improve the health of the nation.

It is just four months that you have been wearing the mantle of minister of health, but you seem to be very well grounded. How have you accomplished that in such a brief time span?

I try to learn while I work. I am very fond of saying that earlier I used to hardly work, but now I really work hard. However, I always say that dont judge me by what I say but do so by my good intention, sincerity, seriousness, honesty and transparency.

A 40-member-delegation participated in the recently held World AIDS conference in Barcelona . What has been the outcome of the conference?

There were detailed discussions on provisions for equitable access to anti-retroviral drugs for people living with HIV. The government is examining the pattern of pricing, in the interest of the needy patients. Network of people living with HIV/AIDS should be assisted to improve their capacity for organizational aspects. They should be entrusted with greater responsibility in promoting the prevention and in supporting the HIV positive persons. A multi-sectoral response is essential for effective prevention and control of HIV/ AIDS epidemic. We are in the midst of large number of multi-sectoral partnerships. Excise duty on anti-retrovial drugs has already been waived.

Have you offered India as the venue to host the 16th World AIDS conference to be held in 2006?

Yes, I did. However, we have not received any response from the international AIDS society so far.

You plan to introduce evening OPDs. Please elaborate.

Evening OPDs will start working in Safdarjung hospital, AIIMS, PGI, Chandigarh, RML hospital from December, 2002. Ground work and other preparations have been completed for starting the evening OPDs which will not only help in easing the congestion in hospitals but also greatly help the working class people who need not waste time their working hours.

You have promised that land would be given on concession to build hospitals to people who would give one third of their beds free to poor patients? When is this scheme taking off?

Private participation is a must if medical and health facilities are to be reach all sectors of the people. I am, therefore, keen to involve public participation in this field that one thirds of the beds are reaserved for free treatment of the poor. We are working on the modalities of the implementation of the scheme.

There were speculations that the mohfw is trying to snatch the power of sanctioning and registering medical colleges, so far vested with MCI. Comment

No, it is not true. But functioning of MCI at present certainly needs a lot more to be done. The government would certainlly take all steps so that the functioning of MCI is smooth and not detrimental to the interests of medical education in the country.

In the past, mohfw has accused of being hand in glove in giving registration to medical colleges, which did not even fulfil minimum criteria, laid down by MCI. What is your stand on this issue? Are you for building more medical colleges?

No permission for new medical colleges and dental colleges is granted by the ministry unless they have fulfilled all the minimum criteria laid down by the MCI or DCI.

Do you intend to utilise your popularity as a filmstar to create awareness programme about different diseases? Would you be roping in filmstars in awareness programme?

I have been campaigning against the use of tobacco for the past several years, even before I became minister. After assuming this new responsibility, I would certainly like my ministry to use my popularity as a fim start to create awareness specially in the areas of prevention of AIDS, tobacco related diseass, children’s health issues and other such areas.

Has it ever posed a problem to you to understand health related issues, not hailing from a medical backgroud?

If it was true that to head of the Health Ministry, having a medical backgroud was imperative, then in that case the Home Minister should have police backgroud and the Finance Minister should always be an economist or for that matter the Minister looking after jails should be an ex-prisioner.

What measures you would be taking to control the menace of AIDS?

Prevention programmes are being scaled up to meaningful levels through community mobilization, deep involvement of the three tiers of the primary health care systems as well as the elected bodies, involvement of leaders from all failth, corporate sector involvement, people living with HIV and civil society. Prevention of mother to child transmission is being scaled up to district level in six state: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Manipur, Nagaland and Tamil Nadu. Besides, electronic and print media are being extensively used in creating AIDS awareness.

What about controlling polio and tuberculosis?

Significant steps has beeb made in controlling polio. 25 states have remained polio-free over last one and half year. However, in Uttar Pradesh, there has been an increase in polio cases this year. Alarmed by the situation, I personally met chief minister S Mayawati on September to review actions being taken by the state government. I have been informed that following her instructions and those of other government officers, the quality and reach of pulse polio programme has improved during the recently held sub-national immunizations day held on 29 September, 2002. For control of tuberculosis various schemes for the involvement of NGOs and private practioners have been developed and circulated. Till date 550 NGOs and 1,500 private practiosioners are involved in RNTCP. Medical colleges are being invilved with manpower and logistics support to facilitate their participation in the programme. Presently, nearly two thirds of medical colleges in RNTCP implementing reas are participating in the programme. As per recommendations of an expert panel, TB hospitals have been requested to have a de nova look at the service provided, promote the concept of domicilliary treatment and adopt RNTCP guidelines for diagnostic as well as treatment strategies. Efforts are also on to involve ESI, CGHS, railways, armed forces and PSUs in the programme.

What steps you are taking to improve the public sector healthcare in the BIMARU states?

The government is offering all possible help to the states to improve te health care delivery system. My endeavour would be to increase more interaction with in the states on this issue. There should not be any politics in tackling diseases in this country.

You had earlier endorsed for tobacco and an alcoholic beverage. Would you do the same now, or would your responsibility as the minister stop you from accepting the offer?

Though no man is rich enough to bury his past, as a conscientiuous citizen of this country, and also possibly a role model for many people in this country, I realize the mistake of endorsing the product, which I did just once in my entire career, and too nearly 20 years back. I immediately realized that I should not have done that and I remember having apologised for the same. Now, leave aside, endorsing alcoholic beverages, I hav never endorsed even a cold drink in long career.

Have you pledged any of your organ for donation?

I was one of the first well known names to have pledged my eyes for donation.

Reportedly, you have been seeking funds for improving the healthcare scenario in the country. Comment.

Yes, we certainly need more funds to improve the health scenario. I have been discussing this matter with the planning commissiom, ministry of Finance and all other related agencies.

What steps are you going to take to weed out corruption from the mohfw accused of being mired in malpractices?

I do not agree with the sweeping assumption that the ministry of health has always been mired in corruption. However, it is not my claim that the ministry is absolutely free from corruption. In my opiniion, delay in dealing with pending issues of breeds corruption. I have taken a decision to check long pendening of files withour valid reasons.Whether the response of the ministry is positive or negative on any isssue, the same may be decided expeditiously. Secondly, I have also tried to bring in more transparency in our working to minimize the menace of corruption which, no doubt, will be one of my priorities.