Highlighting various initiatives being undertaken in the health sector, Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Nirmal Singh today said that quality healthcare facilities have been made available to the people with special focus on areas which were left unattended earlier.The Deputy Chief Minister was speaking at a program organized at Billawar in Kathua district under Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) - a flagship scheme of Union Government under Ministry of Health aiming at early identification and early intervention for children from birth to 18 years to cover 4 ‘D’s viz. Defects at birth, Deficiencies, Diseases, Development delays including disability.Doctors, Para medics, multipurpose health workers and ASHA workers in large numbers took part in the program.Speaking on the occasion, Dr Singh appreciated the efforts of Kathua district administration for improving the child sex ratio under BBBP and getting felicitation in PM's radio program Mann Ki Baat.
He said that appreciation increases responsibility and now more vigorous efforts are required to move in right direction by creating awareness of various others welfare schemes. He announced that the panchayats and blocks which record maximum number of births of girl child will be further incentivized by getting extra fund for development.Highlighting the importance of Laadli Beti Scheme, the Dy CM informed that 431 beneficiaries under this scheme are already getting financial benefits directly in their bank accounts and additional 354 cases will soon be sanctioned to get cash credit in their bank accounts.During the program, Dr Singh directed officers from social welfare department to conduct a resurvey to identify genuine beneficiaries under State Marriage Assistance Scheme as the present list has number of discrepancies. He also directed CMO Kathua to organize a camp on 14th March for issuing on spot disability certificate at Govt. Hospital Billawar.He also visited the Sub District Hospital Billawar and inquired about the health of patients admitted in the hospital.Dr. Singh expressing serious concern over the lack of sanitation and cleanness at the hospital directed the concerned officials and SDM Billawar to take immediate steps to ensure utmost levels sanitation and cleanness in the hospital.
Dr. Singh also kick-started works on various road projects including the 7 km road project from Uchapind to Alratrapad being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 3 crore under PMGSY, 5.25 km road from Ramkot to Sorolal under PMGSY at an estimated cost of 2.25 crore. He also inspected construction of community hall and tourism hut at village Karanwara.Deputy Chief Minister later convened a public grievance redressal camp at Uchapind where people projected several issues mainly pertaining to PHE, PWD, streamlining of ration distribution and mobile schools.Dr Singh assured the villagers that network of PHE pipelines will soon be laid in the uncovered areas to ensure supply of drinking water at far off places and the other issues would be taken up with the concerned departments.Later, Dr Singh celebrated Holi with the members of Shri Narsingh Ghoshalla Mandli, Billawar at Mandli.Dy CM while extending greetings to people on the occasion said that Holi symbolizes rich cultural heritage and traditions of our nation, besides a mutual love and affection among people of all communities since times immemorial.