The State government has plans to give insurance cover to all the students of government medical colleges in the State. This was stated by the minister of state for health Digvijay Khanvilkar at the inaugural function of the two day national seminar held at Symbiosis Centre of Health Care on the topic of medico-legal systems and hospital and health care management.

The minister also stated that the government has earmarked Rs. 750 crore to improve the services and the infrastructure of the district and the rural hospitals by the year 2005. There are around 350 rural hospitals and 1800 primary health centres in the State.

Commenting on the seminar, he further added that the seminar would help doctors, management and the patients. It would also help short listing problems and solving the same in the interest of consumers. ``Presently the health sector is pegged at $ 17 billion and is expected to grow further. The tertiary health sector has also grown at a faster pace over the last few years,'' said Khanvilkar.

Speaking on the occasion, HRD union minister of state Dr. V. Kathiriya, guest of honour at the function, emphasised on the need of doctors to follow ethics. “We have to be responsible and should keep our ethics and moral values high while executing our responsibilities,'' stressed Dr. Kathiriya.

Founder director of Symbiosis Institute, Dr. S. B.Majumdar said that quality education empowers the growth to be self reliant, compassionate and passionate and quality of life ensures excellent health for all. He also strongly put that the clean drinking water would help curb around 80% for the water borne disease in the country.

The director of the Symbiosis Centre of Health Care, Dr. Rajiv Yeravadekar said, “The new legislation and the existing amendments have affected the relationship of doctors with their patients.'' As per CII estimation the health care sector has shown a major transition as it has taken a leap from 5% to 13% of annual growth, stated Yervadekar.

The function also witnessed the release of the 1200 pages book on 'Medical negligence case reporter' containing 113 landmark judgements of Supreme Court, National commission and the State commission. The other dignitaries present at the function were Advocate Ram Jethmalani, Brij K. Taimani, member of National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission amongst others.