*CM Reviews Health Department’s Work to Improve Services in Government Hospitals*
*Free Treatment for Diabetic Retinopathy of Eye Patients to Be Provided Under Ayushman Scheme in Government Hospitals: CM*
*All Government Hospitals to Be Connected Online for Real-Time Monitoring from Registration to Dispensing of Medicines*
*CM Directs Immediate Filling of Vacant Posts of Doctors, Radiologists and Cardiologists in Government Hospitals*
Chandigarh, September 29: Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that the Health Department should work proactively to encourage beneficiaries of the Ayushman Bharat and Chirayu schemes to avail themselves of treatment at government hospitals. Doctors, support staff and Ayushman Mitras at government hospitals witnessing an increase in patient footfall will be provided special incentive amounts.
The Chief Minister stated this while chairing a review meeting with Health Department officials at the Haryana Civil Secretariat on Tuesday. He said that the amount received by government hospitals for treating patients under the Ayushman Bharat and Chirayu schemes would be utilised for special incentives for doctors and staff at the respective hospitals, hospital upgradation, sanitation works and incentives for Ayushman Mitras, among other purposes. The proposal submitted by the Health Department in this regard has been approved by the government.
*Free Treatment for Diabetic Retinopathy*
Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini directed that the number of packages available under the Ayushman scheme in government hospitals be increased so that free treatment can be extended to the maximum possible number of patients. He said that treatment for diabetic retinopathy, a condition affecting the retina of the eyes, would also be provided free of cost in all government hospitals. He directed that the treatment be included in the package available at government hospitals. He said that treatment for the disease is now possible through injections, and the government would bear the cost of administering them.
*Directions to Start Open Recruitment Alongside Regular Recruitment*
The Chief Minister directed the immediate filling of vacant posts of doctors, radiologists and cardiologists in government hospitals. He said that along with regular recruitment, the Health Department should also introduce an open recruitment mechanism for these posts on the lines of practices followed abroad, under which any interested specialist could offer to provide services at government hospitals at a location and for a period of their choice. This would help address the shortage of specialists in government hospitals and provide significant benefits to patients.
In the case of radiologists, the services of retired radiologists could be utilised at hospitals near their residence on the basis of the list of radiologists registered with the National Medical Commission (NMC). Age-limit relaxation could also be provided wherever required.
*Doctors from Private Hospitals Can Also Perform Operations at Government Hospitals*
The Chief Minister said that the services of specialist doctors working in private hospitals or engaged in private practice could also be utilised at government hospitals, with payments made on a daily or per-operation basis. In addition, government doctors treating a higher number of patients would be provided special incentives to encourage them to work with greater dedication. He also directed that the number of Ayushman Mitras at government hospitals be increased as per requirement.
*Real-Time Monitoring of Government Hospitals*
Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that the process of bringing all district and sub-divisional hospitals, as well as Community Health Centres (CHCs), Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and sub-centres across the state onto an online platform should be completed at the earliest. For this purpose, all activities—from patient registration to various tests, medical consultation and dispensing of medicines—should be recorded in real time so that all hospital activities can be monitored in real time.
*Faulty Equipment to Be Repaired Immediately*
He said that proper utilisation of equipment installed in government hospitals should be ensured. If any equipment develops a fault, it should be repaired on the same day so that patients do not face any inconvenience. If equipment becomes faulty due to negligence by a government employee or is not repaired for a prolonged period, responsibility should be fixed on the concerned employee. He also directed Health Department officials to float tenders soon for setting up cath labs in government hospitals.
*CM to Personally Review Progress of HIV Task Force*
While reviewing the progress of the district-level HIV Task Force, the Chief Minister said that he would personally review its progress every four months. He said that the work should also be reviewed every two months in all districts under the chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioner so that the Task Force functions effectively. He directed the Health Department to finalise the agenda for meetings to be held at the level of the Deputy Commissioner and the Chief Minister. He also issued specific directions regarding the upgradation of Hansi Hospital as a district hospital.
*Target Set to Open Amrit Pharmacies in Every District by November 1*
Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that the process of opening Amrit Pharmacies in all government hospitals must be completed by November 1. He also directed officials to improve the functioning of hospitals where the number of claims under the Ayushman Bharat and Chirayu schemes is below the average. He directed that the CMsGGAs in each district be tasked with monitoring the functioning of hospitals and providing suggestions for improvement.
The Chief Minister also reviewed the steps taken by the department to implement targets set during the previous meeting for improving the functioning of the Health Department. These included the use of e-Upchar to provide relief to patients, effective functioning of de-addiction centres, conducting special drives to register eligible beneficiaries under the Ayushman and Chirayu schemes, giving special attention to cleanliness in hospitals, regular reporting for monitoring Ayushman claims, and package-wise comparisons between private and government hospitals. He issued necessary directions to the officials in this regard.
The meeting was attended by Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Sh. Rajesh Khullar; Additional Chief Secretary, Health Department, Dr. Sumita Misra; Secretary, Medical Education and Research Department, Sh. C.G. Rajinikanthan; Director Sh. Dhirendra Khadgata; Deputy Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Dr. Yashpal Singh; Director General, Health Services, Dr. Manish Bansal; Managing Director, National Health Mission (NHM), Dr. RS Dhillon; Dr. Manoj Kumar and other senior officials.
