Officials snubbed for failure to fetch fund in medical sector

Itanagar, Jun 01 (UNI) Arunachal Pradesh Health&Family Welfare Minister C C Singpho has reprimanded the officials of his department for their failure in submission of projects and procuring of funds from the Centre.

Singpo returned on Wednesday from New Delhi after receiving the trophy of best performing state under national Rural Health Mission (NRHM).

Speaking at a function at General Hospital here yesterday, he said, ''the central government is questioning our failure in availing schemes and funds. Our officials abstained from important meetings at Guwahati and Delhi, where the central officials desired to know more about Arunachal Pradesh.'' ''If Assam could procure 400 ambulances, why not Arunachal when the funds were available,'' he said. He exhorted everyone to make the best possible use of NRHM which would end in 2012. Every primary health center (PHC) should get a vehicle and schemes should be formed for various infrastructure developments of every health center, he said.

Any problem should be brought to my notice, he said, while reiterating his commitment to improve the health care delivery system in the state.

Expressing concern at the rising cases of cancer in the state, he asked the director to take immediate steps for availing Rs five crore for a cancer unit at state level and Rs five lakh at district level offered by the Centre to supplement the efforts of surgical specialist Dr M Basar, trained in cancer surgery at Tata Memorail Hospital, Mumbai and chief medical officer Dr Moji Jini to provide succour to the patients.

Appreciating the free cancer screening camp conducted jointly by the General Hospital, Arunachal Cancer Society (ACS) and Dr. B Borooah Cancer Institute (BBCI), Guwahati, Singpho sought the help of BBCI in providing treatment to the poor and needy of the state.

UNI