By The Hindu Bureau
The Tamil Nadu Health Minister, Ma. Subramanian, said that 2.28 crore people have so far benefited under the Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam scheme, on Monday.
Mr. Subramanian, along with Minister for Tourism R. Rajendran, participated in the 30th convocation day at the Salem Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College (GMKMC) and conferred degrees on 100 graduands.
Speaking at the function, Minister Subramanian said that many of the best doctors from the college were working abroad and some had even cleared civil services examination. About 56 alumni were working in the college, including 12 as heads of various departments.
The Minister said that for the past two years, parents of students studying in all 36 medical colleges were invited to witness the convocation day and photographed along with their children on stage.
Listing out the achievements of the State government in the last four years, Minister Subramanian said that various modern equipment worth ₹65.43 crore, including a CT scan and a digital mobile X-ray, have been provided to Salem GMKMC hospital. Construction of a quarters for nursing students was under way at ₹51.98 crore. New buildings have been provided for 35 urban primary health centres and primary health centres in the district.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has rolled out various schemes for the upgrade of medical infrastructure. The government had spent ₹365 crore for the Innuyir Kappom Nammai Kakkum 48 scheme, which has benefited four lakh people. The Union Government is now emulating the scheme by providing ₹1.50 lakh to treat accident victims. Similarly, Tamil Nadu received the ‘United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force’ award from the United Nations, the Minister added.
Rajya Sabha member S.R. Sivalingam, GMKMC Dean J. Devi Meenal and officials from concerned departments participated in the convocation ceremony.