If voted into power in the 2016 assembly elections, DMK treasurer MK Stalin has promised to make health and education the top priorities of the state. He has also stressed on the need for a National Health Policy to provide quality healthcare to all sections of the society.

Addressing the party’s medical wing conference in Coimbatore, Stalin said that with new diseases being discovered constantly, there is an urgent need to evolve a national health policy for both communicable and non-communicable diseases. Referring to the recent UN guidelines, which suggested that quality and affordable healthcare should be made available to all by 2030, Stalin said that the first step would be to strengthen the infrastructure facilities in Primary Health Centres (PHC) and referral units.

The former Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu also said that if his party came to power, one medical college will be set up in each district, to increase the number of doctors in the state.

Stating that there should be at least one doctor for every 1,000 people, against the prevailing one for 1,700 in Tamil Nadu, he added that there should be one PHC for 25,000 people and referral units for a population of 4,000 to 5,000.

About his ‘Namukku Naame’ tour, Stalin said that he has so far covered 11,000 km in 215 out of the 234 assembly constitutions and has received more than four lakh petitions. He revealed that he will cover the remaining 19 constituencies by the end of February.