'Golden Hour Project' for emergency treatment; govt allocates Rs 2076.02 crore for health sector

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The 'Golden Hour Project' will be implemented to provide emergency and trauma treatment in the shortest possible time in Kerala hospitals. To achieve this, coordination among health institutions will be ensured. A digitalised system will be set up.

Coordination between the health and medical education departments will be strengthened to combat infectious diseases. The government will intervene to reduce the cost of treatment. Rs 2076.02 crores have been allocated for the health sector in the new budget.

The 'Reach Kerala' project will be implemented to make Kerala a hub for health tourism. 'School Health Brigade' will be formed to provide health, hygiene and lifestyle awareness to students. Financial assistance will be provided to those above 40 years of age for health check-ups once a year. Excessive political interference in the running of government hospitals will be avoided. Medicine procurement will be made efficient. The arrears in the Karunya Arogya scheme will be cleared. 'Tribal Health Clusters' will be started for the health care of tribals. 'Coastal Care Units' for the health care of people in the coastal areas. Plans will be formulated for cancer prevention. Mobile testing labs in rural areas where lab testing is lacking. 10 labs for Rs. 2 crore each in the first phase. Medicines will be provided to SMA patients.

Up to 2018, VAT and general tax will be exempted from tax. This does not apply to liquor sales tax. The scheme is a one-time settlement scheme to settle the flood cess arrears of traders without penalty or interest. For this, applications can be made until March 31 of the following year.

Taxes have been fixed on low-alcohol content liquor, including beer and wine. The tax is 120% on alcohol with an alcohol content of up to 10 per cent. 175% for alcohol with an alcohol content of 10 to 20 per cent. Beer is 130%, and Indian-made foreign alcohol is 251%.