UNDERSERVED AND UNSERVED AREAS IN THE NORTH-EAST TO GET BETTER HEALTH CARE FACILITIES UNDER THE NATIONAL RURAL HEALTH MISSION
Delhi:Inaugurating the second review meeting of health sector programmes in North Eastern States, the Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss said that I am very happy that the eight NE states had responded enthusiastically to the institutional restructuring and embraced the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) strategies with zeal. I know there are many difficult and tenacious problems relating to restructuring of systems, convergence within the Health Department and its management structures, convergence with other Departments, shortages of manpower, etc. which need to be still resolved and require vigorous and sustained efforts from your side. The Mission provides you with the opportunity to take proactive action and I am sure that the opportunity provided will not be squandered. Besides Health Ministers from the eight North Eastern States, Union and State Health Secretaries, Secretary, AYUSH, Mission Directors and senior officials from the Centre as well as North Eastern States were present at the meeting.
Appreciating the efforts made by the States to improving health care of the people under the NRHM, the Minister said the second year of NRHM has also seen increased focus on improvement in institutional deliveries and immunisation, further strengthening the institutional framework right down to the Block levels, focused stress, greater convergence within the health sector programs, etc. in keeping with the Mission’s aim of providing universal access to health care in accordance with the needs of the people, bringing about reduction in child and maternal mortality, population stabilisation, communicable disease control, etc.
Appreciating the efforts made by the States to improving health care of the people under the NRHM, the Minister said the second year of NRHM has also seen increased focus on improvement in institutional deliveries and immunisation, further strengthening the institutional framework right down to the Block levels, focused stress, greater convergence within the health sector programs, etc. in keeping with the Mission’s aim of providing universal access to health care in accordance with the needs of the people, bringing about reduction in child and maternal mortality, population stabilisation, communicable disease control, etc.
While stressing on decentralised planning through comprehensive primary health care planning, provision has been made for improving healthcare infrastructure, meeting the manpower requirements and availability of drugs. Improvement in public health infrastructure is a key strategy and also has been a key requirement projected by the NE states over the years. In view of the special needs of the States, 33 percent of the NRHM funds can be utilised for this purpose. Some of the critical approvals given at the Ministry are:-
- State Hospitals viz. S.T.N.M. Hospital at Gangtok, Sikkim and State Civil Hospital at Aizawl, Mizoram were taken up for comprehensive upgradation. The State Civil Hospitals at Itanagar and Pasighat have also been assisted to the tune of Rs. 1 crore each.
- A scheme titled ‘Forward Linkages for NRHM in the NE states’ is under preparation for assisting Medical Colleges and State Civil Hospitals.
- Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences, a Medical College set-up in the private sector has been accorded recognition
- The personal interest shown by some of the State Ministers in organising immunisation Weeks and the resultant improved coverage of immunisation also deserves a mention. Assam has achieved coverage of 67 percent of the targeted infant population and Sikkim has achieved 90 percent coverage due to these interventions.
- For the year 2007-08 an amount of Rs. 1013 Crore has been earmarked under NRHM for the North Eastern States under various schemes.
