Hyderabad, June 24 (RAHNUMA): Reiterating the State government’s commitment to ensuring equitable healthcare for every citizen, Minister for Health, Medical & Family Welfare Damodar Rajanarsimha has directed officials to ensure that people living in the remotest tribal areas receive quality healthcare services without any barriers.
He asserted that forests, hilly terrain, remote habitations and transportation challenges should never become obstacles to providing timely medical care.
The Minister conducted a comprehensive review meeting with Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) Project Officers, senior officials of the Health and Tribal Welfare departments at the Rajiv Aarogyasri Health Care Trust office in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad on Wednesday. He also reviewed the implementation of decisions taken during the previous review meeting with ITDA officials.
With the onset of the monsoon season, the Minister reviewed the preparedness of the Health department in tribal areas, including the availability of healthcare services, hospital infrastructure, manpower, emergency medical response, and the challenges faced in delivering healthcare in remote locations. Officials also briefed the Minister on the progress made in strengthening health facilities across Agency areas.
Directing officials to remain on high alert during the monsoon, Damodar Rajanarsimha instructed them to take preventive measures against seasonal diseases such as malaria, dengue, viral fevers and diarrhoeal illnesses.
He stressed that all government hospitals should maintain adequate stocks of medicines, diagnostic kits, IV fluids and other essential medical supplies. The Minister also directed officials to organise special medical camps in vulnerable tribal habitations wherever necessary and ensure uninterrupted functioning of 108 and 102 ambulance services.
Referring to the recent maternal death reported at Gundala PHC, the Minister said every official should treat the incident as a lesson and ensure that such incidents do not recur. He directed officials to identify all high-risk pregnancies well in advance, closely monitor expectant mothers, and shift them to Birth Waiting Homes before the expected date of delivery wherever required. “There will be no compromise on maternal and child healthcare,” he asserted.
Reviewing dialysis services in Agency districts, Damodar Rajanarsimha was informed that 25 dialysis centres were currently providing treatment to 1,373 active patients. He reviewed the government’s plan to further strengthen dialysis services through the establishment of 34 additional dialysis centres with 170 additional dialysis beds in Agency areas.
