Innocent docs were also trapped: Akhilesh

Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday said that many innocent doctors have landed in jail in the multi-crore National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) scam, which took place during the previous BSP government.

The Chief Minister, who was speaking after launching the Ashirwad Bal Swasthya Guarantee Yojna under NRHM, said: "The NRHM maligned the image of UP in the country. Fingers were raised at the medical and health department. It involved several thousand crores. Doctors too have been sent to jail. Many of them were innocent but had to surrender as they had no option."

Akhilesh alleged that the BSP government had stopped several schemes of the health department. "We pulled off Samajwadi Ambulance Service and it has picked up well. We are streamlining the schemes of the health department," he said. The previous government also took irrational decisions which resulted in buildings being constructed where they have little use, he alleged. "The whole system was faulty. We are bringing it back on track. We are against corruption and will fulfill the people's hopes and expectations," he added.

He also said the government will reward hard-working officials and punish those who are callous. "It is the responsibility of Chief Secretary Jawed Usmani and me. We will keep an eye on the officials. It is our work," he said.

Akhilesh welcomed the 2,000 Ayush doctors who have been hired on contractual basis by the health department. "Your services were terminated by the previous regime. Some of the doctors had turned towards politics. It is good that the government has again turned you all towards your profession," he stated.

The Chief Minister handed over a cheque for Rs 10 crore to the Vice-Chancellor of King George Medical University, D K Gupta, for upgradation of the nursing college and construction of a maternity centre in the Queen Mary's Hospital. He also dedicated and laid the foundation of several health centres across the state, costing Rs 157.93 crore.

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