Fresh doctors in rural areas

Itanagar, Apr 10: The Arunachal Pradesh government is contemplating to post fresh doctors to interior and far-flung health centres in the state for three years for a lasting solution to the repeated complaints of non-availability of doctors, according to Health and Family Welfare Minister C C Singpho.

As the issue had rocked the just concluded budget session of the assembly of the state, the proposal on the lines of Orissa government was considered at a high level official meeting, which would be implemented after getting cabinet approval, the minister told media persons here last evening.

The geographically vast state has many a chronic problems which were compounded with the complexity of posting and transfer of doctors, he said adding the public-private partnership (PPP) policy adopted as pilot project has provided solace and improved the healthcare delivery system in the state.

One primary health centre (PHC) each in 16 districts of the state has been handed over to Karuna Trust, Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI), PRAYAS and Future Generations Arunachal, who have recruited mostly local people as health staff, including doctors as per required strength, he informed adding, Arunachal was the first state in the country to introduce the policy.

While the existing infrastructure, including vehicles and funds for payment and allowances of all the staff are provided by the state government, the NGOs funded by the central government are chiping in ten per cent additional fund to make health services available at the door steps of the poor and needy people.

The services, monitored by a local committee headed by district medical officer of each district, have been found satisfactory, the minister informed.

When asked as to why the reputed R K Mission was not given any PHC, Mr. Singpho said though the hospital has a highly satisfactory track record in the state it had turned down the offer for its existing huge burden and desired to take part in the programme later.

Health service is on the top priority agenda of the state government, the minister said adding, as directed by state Chief Minister Gegong Apang on the floor of the assembly recently, a high level committee headed by him would visit Nagaland soon to study communitization of health sector and its implementation in the state subject to the approval of the cabinet, he added.

UNI