Chhattisgarh Health Minister TS Singhdeo on February 27 admitted that government hospitals were facing shortage of nephrologists saying that this is affecting dialysis works.

Replying to supplementary questions raised by former Chief Minister Ajit Jogi during question hour in Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly, Singhdeo said that dialysis machines were available in 89 hospitals in the state. He said that 74 of them were installed in medical colleges. He said that requirement of 32 more machines was being communicated with central government. He said that 11 of these machines would be installed in district hospitals.

In view of the problem in Supebeda one machine has been installed at Deobhog of Gariaband district, said the Health Minister. He, however, admitted that no nephrologists were available in this area. Jogi said that keeping in mind the high cost of dialysis a proposal was passed in the assembly in the year 2017 for free treatment. He sought information about the progress in implementation of the efforts for PPP model introduced during previous regime. The Minister said that government was taking steps towards universal health care. He said that people belonging to poverty line were getting benefit of treatment under health insurance.

Questioning the idea of universal health care the BJP MLA Ajay Chandrakar said that government was showing dream for this on every question. Opposition leader Dharamlal Kaushik said that there was uncertainty as attempt was being made to play with the life of people. Singhdeo said that efforts were being made for better facility. Dissatisfied with the reply of the Minister, the BJP MLAs staged walk-out.