Involve Panchayats in NRHM implementation: CS

SRINAGAR:-Highlighting the importance of utilizing services of Panchayat Raj institutions and NGO’s in the effective implementation of National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) in the State, Chief Secretary, Mr Madhav Lal today said that the grass-root level participation and engagement was essential for delivering quality healthcare service to the rural masses as envisioned under the programme.
Chairing the meeting of governing body of State Health Society of NRHM, Chief Secretary underlined the need to extend basic amenities of health and patient care to far-flung areas and strengthening the weak infrastructure in these areas.
Mr Madhav Lal called for maintaining the required manpower in consonance with the guidelines for operationalization of PHC’s 24×7 especially in remote and rural areas for the purpose. The Mission Director NRHM was asked to furnish the list of such PHC’s to the governing body so that necessary staff is made available to these areas at an earliest.
Mission Director NRHM, Dr Yashpal Sharma presented an over view of the activities undertake under the programme. He said that Rs 480.05 crore stand utilized against the availability of Rs 567.28 crore this fiscal. Under the programme, he said as many as 156 24X7 PHC’s and 66 CHC’s have been made operational in the State, adding that several steps under the programme have been introduced to reduce MMR and increase the percentage of institutional deliveries.
The governing body also discussed the issue of enhancing remuneration of doctors and other para-medical staff engaged under NRHM and special incentives to doctors willing to serve in remote areas.
The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Mr B.B. Vyas, Director NRHM Health and Family welfare, GOI, Dr Sajjan Singh Yadav, Principal Secretary Housing & Urban Development, Mr Suresh Kumar, Commissioner Secretary Finance, Mr Sudhanshu Panday, Commissioner Secretary Health and Medical Education, Mr G.A. Peer, Director Health Services Srinagar and Jammu and other senior officers.