After three waves of the pandemic, the health sector in Tamil Nādu is slowly returning to normalcy but experts feel that a meaningful intervention will be needed to speed up the process. Though the number of covid cases is reducing the doctors will be facing a challenging increase in the number of chronic and complex cases. According to a study published in the Lancet, the city has recorded a decrease in life expectancy by four years through the pandemic. 

Therefore, an initiative called makkalai thedi maruthuvam has been launched by the state. Minister Ma Subramanian stated that the initiative will be screening people through mobile camps in cities, semi-urban, hilly, and rural and providing services like dialysis, delivery of medicine, physiotherapy, and palliative services at the doorstep. The minister stated that the scheme aimed to reduce complications and deaths with minimal expenditure cost to the individual. 

Dr. J Amalorpavanthan, a Vascular surgeon and a member of the planning committee stated that the state has allotted 70% of funds towards primary and preventive care for communicable, non-communicable, and reproductive health. He also added that the state has decided to extend the services for managing diabetes and hypertensive disorders. The group of experts has also started to work on a couple of policies that will help healthcare providers and workers in delivering the best care and facilities to their patients. These policies will also provide a clear understanding of their rights and benefits to the patients.

Source: ET Healthworld