Kolkata: Union Health Minister Shatrughan Sinha on November 9 admitted that the pace of health sector reforms in the country had slackened in recent times and the Centre was not fully aware of initiatives taken by state governments in this direction.

"Since health is a state subject, we don't get much opportunity at the Centre to know much about the expansion projects undertaken by various state governments," he said at the foundation stone-laying ceremony of the annexe building of Dr B C Roy Memorial Hospital for Children in Kolkata.

The minister said the National Programme of Disease Control required more co- ordination between the Centre and state governments and emphasised that this could be better implemented at the Central level.

Sinha said, keeping in mind the poor pace of expansion in the health sector the Centre would take a number of new initiatives during the 10th plan period including sprucing up of reputed old institutes for better performance.

"A few institutes spread over different states would be upgraded with new equipment and infrastructure. Many West Bengal institutes could also qualify for the project and requests from the state government in this regard would be attended to on a priority basis," he said.

Talking to reporters after the function Sinha expressed sympathy and solidarity with the victims of the recent child death cases in the hospital, but said since health was a state subject, he could not comment on the controversial issue.

"However, I can say that we are working on a plan through which we expect to improve health care services at all levels, especially in rural areas," Sinha added.

PTI