Sambalpur: Minister of health, family planning and law Pratap Jena announced a package of Rs 1,500 crore for the development of health services in the district.
This package included, among other things, development of VSS Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR). Jena, who concluded his two-day visit to the district Thursday, visited VIMSAR and the district headquarters hospital and peripheral health units at Rairakhol, Jujumura and Charmal Wednesday evening.
The minister took a review meeting of health services in the district Thursday at DRDA hall wherein collector Samarth Verma, local MLA Dr Raseswari Panigrahi, Rairakhol MLA Rohit Pujary and Rengali MLA Ramesh Patua participated. Chief district medical officer (CDMO) Dr Kodanda Rao dwelt upon the health particulars of the district.
The minister announced in the meeting that Dr Rao is promoted to director Orissa state health services Thursday. Jena appreciated Rao’s performance as the CDMO, saying the DHH bagged the first prize and a cash reward of Rs 50 lakh for maintaining cleanliness on the hospital premises.
Dr Panigrahi talked about the health situation in her constituency, saying, “The issue of cadre posting with special pay package for doctors should be clarified to clear the confusion as our main concern is VIMSAR.”
She sought an early decision on the full autonomy to VIMSAR with adequate financial support made in the state budget. Moreover, scarcity of medical and para-medical personnel is a major challenge that needs immediate solution, she added.
MLA Pujary praised the Niramaya Yojana launched by the state government but expressed concern that it is hardly percolating to grassroots. Help desk system like the one in the DHH should be introduced at Rairakhol sub-divisional hospital, he said, adding adequate supply of medicines be maintained in the hospital.
MLA Patua said the gap between health services in urban and rural areas must be bridged. The formalities to avail an ambulance in remote villages must end. He urged the health minister to pay attention to these issues.
The minister said his government is determined to provide necessary health services in Sambalpur district. Tele-radiology services will be provided at DHH linking it with periphery health centres so that more and more people benefit from it in short time. A new chemo therapy centre will come at the DHH for cancer patients, he said.
Five more ambulances under 108 service are being provided to the DHH besides bike ambulance services for remote villages where poor road condition is a hindrance. He urged the CDMO to arrange posting of doctors in periphery health centres to extend maximum medical facilities to village people. Pregnant women will be entitled for payment of Rs 1,000 to meet the transportation cost where no ambulance service is available, he declared.
He also said an eight-storied super special building at a cost of Rs 150 crore will be constructed at VIMSAR besides a new hostel to accommodate 300 nurses at a cost of Rs 15 crore, a library building at Rs 10 crore, central ICU (intensive care unit) at Rs 10 crore, an operation theatre at Rs 8 crore and a de-addiction centre at Rs 70 crore. PNN
