Minister for Health and Medical Education, ARI and Trainings Choudhary Lal Singh today reviewed the physical and financial achievements of Health Department and National Health Mission (NHM) at a meeting of officers here this morning.Director Health Services Dr. Baljeet Singh Pathania, Director Family Welfare Dr. Baldev Raj Sharma, Mission Director NHM Dr. Mohan Singh, besides Medical Superintendents, Chief Medical Officers, Block Medical Officers of Jammu province were present on the occasion.The Minister directed the officers that the funds meant for purchase of drugs be immediately transferred to Jammu and Kashmir Medical Supplies Corporation Ltd without delay so that purchase process of medicines be started for the convenience of the patient care. He asked CMOs and BMOs for early submission of list of requirement of equipments in the hospitals.
Choudhary Lal Singh directed the BMOs who have not spent funds available in village Health and Sanitation Committees (VH&SC) to utilise the funds for the welfare of the health institutions.The Minister asked the CMOs to immediately transfer funds meant for blocks so that BMOs could utilise for the purpose for which there were meant.Choudhary Lal Singh directed the officers to utilise development funds of hospitals for maintenance of the hospital, not for salary purpose. He said hiring of manpower will not be done at the expenses of the Hospital Development Fund.The Minister asked the health authorities to utilise funds provided by the Government to raise the infrastructural facilities in the hospitals. He asked for preparing Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for upgradation and improvement of all the healthcare institutions in Jammu region. He also asked the officers to ensure hygienic atmosphere and cleanliness in and around the health institutions.
Choudhary Lal Singh asked the CMOs and BMOs to intensify their surprise visits to health institutions especially in rural and far-off areas in odd hours so that people do not face any inconvenience due to healthcare facilities and submit weekly basis report to the higher authorities. Choudhary Lal Singh said two mobile health teams have been put in place in all the medical blocks of the State for screening of children. All the children in the 6 weeks to 6 years age enrolled in anganwadis are being screened at least twice a year, he said.Choudhary Lal Singh informed that children diagnosed with illnesses shall receive follow up including surgeries at tertiary level, free-of-cost under National Health Mission (NHM).The Minister directed the CMOs to take measures for encouraging institutional deliveries. He expressed concern about rising number of caesarean sections being done in various health institutions. He stressed on normal deliveries and suggested rate of caesarean sections should not be more than the permissible 20 percent of all the deliveries in the hospitals.
Choudhary Lal Singh directed the CMOs to send monthly done report of each Gynaecologist and deliveries as well as number of caesarean sections and referrals. He said referrals of obstetric patients should be tabled separately with reason of referral cases. He directed that no male sweeper should be allowed to enter the labour room while delivery is in process.
The Minister asked that neonatal jaundice patients should be treated at sick newborn care unit level and need not to be referred unnecessarily. He said all newborns in the hospital will be given Hepatitis-B vaccine with 24 hours. He said any delay in immunization will be sternly dealt with.The Minister directed for timely release for salary of staff engaged under NHM and incentives of ASHA workers without any delay. He said salary for family welfare staff be released as funds have been made available in all districts. Under National Programme for Control of blindness, he asked to release money to NGOs which have done cataract surgical camps. He said no new sub-centre be started without availability of staff or sanction.