Shadow Correspondent
RAJOURI, JUNE 20:
District Development Commissioner, Rajouri (Chairman District Health Society) Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, in a meeting of concerned district officers, reviewed comprehensively the functioning of health department vis-à-vis construction of NTPHCs, health sub-centres and staff quarters, achievements under centrally sponsored schemes, medical supply position and availability of essential drugs, staff position, status of entries of land and properties of the department in revenue records besides provision of sanitation and drinking water facilities in health institutions.
It was informed in the meeting that Sub Centres Kandra, Hayatwali, Kalachanger, Najeri Jamola, Muruta and Chamitrar are closed due to non-posting of staff. The CMO was directed to ensure that staff is made available for making these centres functional within one week as these centres cater the public in far flung areas.
The meeting reviewed the status of construction work on buildings of PHC, NTPHC, Health Sub Centres and ISM Dispensaries and creation of additional infrastructure of district and sub-district hospitals besides repair and compound walling of health institutions.
Decisions were taken for finalising land selection for NT PHC Panihad by CMO, release of Rs 10 Lakh for completion of NT PHC Dodason Bala by Health Department, shifting of poles by PDD for earlier start of work on additional accommodation of CHC Thanamandi and DPR by ACD for remodelling of District TB Centre. CMO was asked to furnish list of buildings nearing completion so that the concerned executing agencies are directed to expedite completion of buildings for formally handing over to the department.
In the meeting, various issues were raised regarding the construction/completion of compound wall of DH Rajouri, PHC Khawas, CHC Kandi, Budhal, Jamola and Peeri; repair and four walling of sub-centres Gura Sankari, Sankari, Prori, Budhal, Rehan and others. The CMO was directed to prioritise repair of existing buildings to strengthen them.
The executing agencies were impressed upon to make sure that compound walls are inbuilt component of DPRs and these are raised before initiating the construction of main buildings. They were also advised to start construction work only when the land is formally handed over by the department to avoid any hiccups in execution of projects.
Stressing upon the importance of revenue entries of lands and buildings of the department in discouraging encroachments, Dr Shahid directed the BMOs to endeavour to retrieve encroached land with help of revenue authorities, get it demarcated and entered in revenue records.
The meeting also discussed the issue of shortage of ambulances and staff in the district. It was informed that out of 72 available ambulances, 16 are off road due to deteriorated condition. The CMO was directed to write off these out of gear ambulances by condemning and place requisition for replacement with concerned authorities. He was also impressed upon to pursue the recruitment process of paramedics to mitigate shortfall of staff.
The DDC also reviewed the availability of various diagnostic facilities in the district and peripheral hospitals, medical supply position and availability of essential drugs. It was decided that all medical supplies shall be procured by the District Level Purchase Committee in order to ensure a uniformity in procurement process. The CMO was asked to ensure that committee meeting is held timely to nip any chance of shortfall of medical supply in any of the health institutions.
Taking serious note of non-implementation of Cabinet decision for cancellation of attachments and subsequent orders of district administration, it was decided that all medical officers and paramedics on attachment within and outside the district shall be treated as on unauthorised absence, their salaries shall be withheld and stringent action shall be initiated against them by concerned DDOs. Meanwhile CMO was asked to explain why attachments weren’t cancelled in spite of explicit orders in this regard. A detailed report of all such officials was also sought within a day time for future course of action.
The meeting was attended by CMO Dr Suresh Gupta, MS Dr. Mehmood Hussaun Bajar, Dy. CMO Dr. Anis A. Nabi, District Tuberculosis Officer Dr. Mohammad Anwar, all Block Medical Officers and Community Health Officers.
