Kolkata, Oct 30 (IANS) Union Minister of State for Health Dinesh Trivedi Friday said that many health parameters in India are close to that of sub-Saharan Africa.
Addressing a seminar at the Health and Lifestyle Conclave 2009, organised by the Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) here, the minister said that in parameters like maternal mortality rate and HIV, India is very close to sub-Saharan Africa.

“I have to hang my head in shame that in heath parameters we are close to sub-Saharan Africa while our GDP is more than many developed countries.

“About 70 percent patients in rural areas still suffer of diarrhoea because of contaminated drinking water,” said Trivedi.

He said the union health ministry will set up a 25-member committee to review the healthcare situation in the country and come out with suggestions on how to put things in place.