The Centre is planning to evolve state-wise strategy to tackle health related, region-specific problems. This is apart from major initiatives for diseases like AIDS, tuberculosis etc.

A conference of the States is likely to be convened soon to discuss health related issues, particularly local specific or region-centric, Dr Abumani Ramadoss, minister for health and family welfare said. The announcement came at the end of a meeting held by the Prime Minister to take stock of the present health scenario in the country.

Dr. Ramadoss said the Prime Minister was concerned about infant and maternal mortality rates, besides the general health scenario in the country and about the data put out by the UNDP in this connection about India. Dr. Ramadoss said that the UNDP report was based on statistics of the year 2003 and hence put India in a bad light.

He said that during the meeting, the situation in Uttar Pradesh, arising out of the heavy toll from the spread of the Japanese encephalitis, cases of Dengue in Delhi and its neighbourhood and the current status on HIV/AIDS were considered in depth, besides the National Health Mission etc. In reply to a question about UP, the minister said that medicines worth Rs 15 crore and other essential supplies have been dispatched to the State.