By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 5 Jun: Minister of Medical Health and Medical Education Subodh Uniyal chaired a review meeting on the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana here today. On this occasion, he directed the officials to ensure that the benefits of the scheme reach every eligible citizen of the state effectively.
Addressing the meeting, Uniyal asserted that Ayushman Bharat is one of the country’s most ambitious health schemes, which is aimed at ensuring quality and free healthcare services to every needy and eligible citizen. He instructed the officials that no negligence in its implementation would be tolerated and emphasised that eligible beneficiaries must receive timely and accessible healthcare services.
He directed all the government and the empanelled hospitals to mandatorily install display boards carrying information about the scheme, eligibility criteria, facilities and helpline numbers. He stressed that informing the public about the scheme is as important as providing them with treatment.
Placing special emphasis on regular monitoring of the hospitals, Uniyal said that continuous oversight is essential to improve the quality of healthcare services. Taking cognisance of complaints regarding referral arrangements in government hospitals, he directed the officials to look into the complaints thoroughly and take necessary action.
During the meeting, the officials of the State Health Authority apprised the minister of budgetary challenges under the state health scheme. Uniyal assured that all possible measures would be taken to ensure the availability of necessary resources so that better healthcare facilities are provided to the people of the state.
He reiterated that the government is consistently working to make health services more accessible, transparent and citizen-friendly, and that coordinated efforts by all departments and institutions are required to extend the Ayushman Bharat scheme to every household.
Among those present on the occasion were Arvind Singh Hyanki, Chairperson of the State Health Authority, Additional Secretary Health Saurabh Gaharwar, and other senior departmental officers.
Yesterday, too, Uniyal had chaired a separate review meeting with principals of medical education institutions and senior officials, at which detailed discussions were held on key issues concerning medical colleges and health establishments in the state. During this meeting, Uniyal had asserted that the government’s objective is to provide every citizen with modern, affordable and quality healthcare facilities close to their homes. He added that continuous improvements and expansion of resources in medical education and health services are being undertaken. He further stated that under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, specialist doctors would be made available in all medical colleges to expand super-speciality services, ensuring that advanced facilities such as cardiology, neurosurgery and nephrology become accessible to the general public.
