Bhopal gas leak victims to get new smart cards: Minister

Bhopal, Dec 3 (IANS) Thousands of Bhopal gas tragedy victims and their children will get new Smart Cards to ensure proper healthcare to them, a Madhya Pradesh Minister said on Saturday.

Till now, 30,000 Smart Cards have been made, Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation Minister (Independent Charge) Vishwas Sarang was quoted as saying in an official statement here.

The Smart Cards will ensure coordination between the Bhopal Memorial Hospital and Research Centre and Relief and Rehabilitation Department in extending healthcare to the gas victims and ensuring maintenance of details of their past treatment, the minister said.

Functioning of all six hospitals treating the victims are being computerised, for which Rs 11.43 crore have been spent so far, Sarang said.

The minister said a study is going on regarding the relief and rehabilitation and healthcare of the victims and their children so as to chalk out a comprehensive plan for their benefit.

Poisonous methyl isocynate gas leaked on December 2-3 night in 1984 from the Union Carbide factory in Bhopal, killing several thousands and adversely affecting the health of lakhs of others who continue to suffer ill-health till date.