Non-installation of MRI and dialysis machines in taluk and district hospitals-CM Siddaramaiah takes serious note

Pramesh S Jain & Yogesh K Porwar 

I nstructions given by the CM after reviewing the performance of Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust

1. Ayushman Bharat- Arogya Karnataka Scheme is in Assurance Mode. He said that the insurance model which is in force in Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan should be studied and report should be submitted.

2. Instructed the principal secretary and commissioner of the department to review the progress and issue strict instructions.

3. We should try our best to help patients cure. Payment period of SAST is reduced to 14 days. In this background, the empanelment of private hospitals is expected to improve, he said.

4. Instructed the Finance Department to prioritize the recruitment of Lab Technicians and other highly required para medical staff.

5. He asked the department to submit a proposal to the finance department to call for tenders every two years so that the procurement process of medicine can be done continuously.

The Chief Minister took serious note for the lack of specialized doctors and inadequate installation of MRI and dialysis machines in taluk/ district hospitals and inefficient execution of the objective of the National Health Campaign.

He was speaking at the review meeting of the health department chaired by him today.He identified the shortcomings of the campaign and gave clear instruction that they should be rectified by the next meeting.

A separate review was conducted on Rashtriya Arogya Abhiyan,Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust and the availability of health services.

He noticed that the grant of National Health Mission was not spent on time.All necessary steps should be taken to strengthen the health system through the National Health Mission.

Under this scheme,there is a shortage of 52 % specialist doctors,31% shortage of MBBS doctors and 18 % shortage of nursing staff.

He also instructed the officers to look into increasing their salaries and filling up of posts.

The progress of the National Health Campaign should be regularly monitored.The Chief Minister directed the commissioner of the department to ensure the achievement of the set targets and to spend the funds on time.

After hearing from the officials that there was a problem due to appointment of five MDs for the corporation in the last one year,the Chief Minister assured that this will not happen during our government and also suggested that the Managing Director of the Corporation should serve for at least 2 years.

MRI,scanning and dialysis machines should be installed in all taluk hospitals.He suggested that and technicians should be appointed to provide all these services.

The chief minister questioned how it is possible to provide good health care to poor people if these special services are not provided in government hospitals,and the system should be fixed in three months.People should come to government hospitals.

I will review the progress again in three months. He warned that if this situation continues,the authorities will be held responsible.

No doctor is staying in the hostels built for doctors in rural areas.He instructed the Commissioner to correct this omission.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundurao, Chief Secretary Vandita Sharma, Deputy Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dr. Rajneesh Goyal, Health Department Principal Secretary T.K. Anil Kumar, Finance Department Secretary P.C. Zafar, Chief Minister’s Secretary N. Jayaram and other senior officers were present.