Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 12: Underscoring the need for strict observance of the guidelines in the implementation of various components of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), the Minister of State for Health, Shabir Ahmad Khan emphasized upon the health functionaries to put in their best efforts for the improvement of medical facilities in various health institutions.
Reviewing the physical and financial status of several health care schemes implemented in Jammu Division under Centre and State plans at a high level meeting held here today, the Minister said that focus of the present Government has been on consolidation and now expansion part would also receive a considerable fillip.
The Minister said National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) has helped in a big way to reach out people in rural areas in healthcare sector. He said that better perks and salaries being offered to doctors and paramedics under NRHM has enhanced the chances of placing qualified medical staff in the rural areas.
Commissioner Secretary Health and Medical Education, Gazanfar Hussain, Director Health Services, Jammu, Mission Director, NRHM, Director, ISM, Director Family Welfare, Financial Advisor, Joint Director Planning, Deputy Directors of Health Department, Chief Medical Officers , Medical Superintendents were among others attended the meeting
Expressing concern on the decline in female sex ratio in the State, the Health Minister said that this is the area which calls for unified approach by the civil society and Government Departments together. He urged the need to eradicate this evil from the society, adding “we have to gear up at all levels and reverse the unfortunate trend”, he said asserting that the religious leaders, imams of mosques, pujaries in temples, priests in churches, granthies in gurudawaras and heads of other religious places need to sensitize the society about the most dangerous evil of female feticide.
Shabir said that latest medical equipment and machines installed in hospitals should be fully utilized for treatment of patients. He said Government has also taken different measures to provide specialists, doctors, staff nurses and other para-medics in the health institutions to improve health care service to the people.
The Minister received a brief on the progress registered under various state and centrally sponsored health schemes, under construction hospital buildings and the functioning of various disciplines in the health services, Indian Systems of Medicine, National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), Drugs and Food Control Organization and Medical Supplies Corporation.
The Minister instructed for discouraging the unnecessary referrals from rural hospitals to tertiary hospitals to avoid crowds. He called for equipping the district hospitals properly to attend all types of patients except of serious nature which require specialized treatment in the tertiary centers. “The concerned doctors will have to give the reason for referring the particular patient to the higher institutions”, he ordered.
The Minister interacted with each Chief Medical Officers and enquired about the problems which they face at the grass root level. He issued necessary instructions to the higher authorities for plugging the gaps so that patients get best medical facilities in the Government institutions. He also stressed for coordinated approach to achieve better results.
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