She said the state had a number of plans to contain this crisis and alleged that the previous government, in its reign of 34 years, had put up six sick newborn care units (SNCU) while the present one had put up 10 in just eight months.

The chief minister said city hospitals had a number of good doctors. “Some of those should take out at least two days a week and take charge of a district hospital each. The primary health centres put up by the previous government are devoid of doctors, equipment and infrastructure. I want the unemployed MBBS doctors to be hired and for the first three years to be deputed in rural hospitals. Post that they will join as state cadres,” she said and assured several incentives for them in their higher studies.

She also assured that all the primary health centres would have a diagnostic centre each in the next 3-4 years. “If necessary, we will go into PPP mode,” she said. She also said that there would be 41 super specialty hospitals including 26 in 11 backward districts in the next three years.