Rural health scheme by April next

The first phase of the government's proposed Rural Healthcare Mission is likely to become operational in 17 states by April 2005.

After day-long consultations with health ministers and secretaries of 8 empowered action group (EAG) states, the Northeastern states and Jammu and Kashmir today, Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss said all the states concerned had committed to put the scheme into action.

The government is looking at a flexible financial package for each of the states, depending on their needs and the extent of services available in the area.

"As problems in every state are somewhat different from the others, there is a need to evolve strategies accordingly," Ramadoss said. The minister cited the example of Bihar, where a substantial amount of funds will be diverted to bring it at par with the rest of the states.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is slated to launch the mission on November 14, before which the Cabinet has to approve the proposal.