Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 24 Jan: In order to provide better healthcare facilities to pilgrims visiting the Chardham Yatra, a separate cadre of doctors will be created in the Health Department. Instructions have been issued to departmental officers to bring the proposal before the cabinet at the earliest. In addition, a separate study policy will be framed for bond-holder MBBS doctors from Government Medical Colleges to pursue postgraduate (PG) courses. Directions have also been given to complete the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) process for doctors of various categories by February 10, so that they can receive timely promotions.
State Minister for Medical Health and Medical Education, Dr Dhan Singh Rawat, chaired a review meeting of the Health Department at his official residence. During the meeting, he instructed officials to create a separate cadre of medical officers in view of the Chardham Yatra to ensure improved healthcare services, which will include the required posts of specialist doctors. He directed that the proposal be placed before the Cabinet at the earliest.
Rawat further stated that a separate study policy will be prepared for bond-holder doctors of the State to pursue PG courses, ensuring that healthcare services in the State are not disrupted during their period of study. To fill the gap created by doctors proceeding for PG courses, a proposal to create a reserve pool of 250 doctors will also be brought before the Cabinet. Additionally, officials were instructed to soon submit Cabinet proposals regarding restructuring of posts of lab technicians and pharmacists, creation of an administrative cadre in the Health Department, formation of a Procurement Corporation, and establishment of a separate cadre for specialist doctors.
The Minister informed that proposals for the creation of new posts in upgraded and newly established Sub-District Hospitals and Community Health Centres will also be brought before the Cabinet, so that people can receive better healthcare facilities at the local level. During the meeting, a review of income and expenditure of the budget allocated to the Health and Medical Education Departments in the current financial year was conducted, and officials were instructed to ensure timely utilization of the budget.
Dr Rawat directed that DPCs be completed by February 10 on the basis of seniority lists of various categories of medical officers, so that promotions can be granted on time. He also instructed officials to ensure biometric attendance in all medical units and medical colleges, take strict action against absent doctors, maintain cleanliness in medical colleges and health units, and provide better treatment to patients. Directions were also given to resolve issues related to payments of bills under the Ayushman scheme and problems faced by Golden Card holders within the stipulated timeframe. Various programs being run under the National Health Mission (NHM) were also reviewed.
The meeting was attended by Health Secretary Sachin Kurve, Director General Health Dr Sunita Tamta, Director Medical Education Dr Ajay Kumar Arya, Director NHM Dr Rashmi Pant, Principal Haridwar Medical College Prof CMS Rawat, Additional Director Medical Education Dr RS Bisht, Joint Director Dr Ajit Mohan Jauhari, Dr NS Napchyal, Dr Tuhin Kumar, Dr Amlesh, Finance Controller Deepali Bharne, Abhishek Anand, Registrar Nursing Council Manisha Dhyani, Registrar Medical Council Sudhir Kumar Pandey, and other senior officials.
