RAYAGADA: The Urban Primary Health Centre in Rayagada town was inaugurated by Health Minister Pratap Jena on Saturday. The health centre has been constructed at an expenditure of `77 lakh and is equipped with all healthcare equipment. Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said steps are being taken to eradicate malaria from Rayagada district and for this, distribution of LLIN mosquito nets and special anti-malaria project DAMaN has been launched.
On doctor vacancies, he said the issue of doctors’ shortage is faced by all the districts of the State and not just Rayagada. “However, the Government has decided to fill up the vacant posts in tribal areas on a priority basis by the end of this month,” he said.
Jena later held a review meeting at the collectorate where he directed the Chief District Medical Officer to start filling up of vacant technical and non-technical posts in all health centres across the district. He said at least two doctors should be stationed in CHCs and PHCs at Kashipur, Kalyansinghpur and Chandrapur blocks during monsoon as these areas are highly prone to malaria and diarrhoea. The district will soon get more 108 and 102 ambulances for remote areas and the Collector will monitor the ambulance service.
MPs N Bhaskar Rao, Jhinna Hikaka and Collector Guha Punam Tapas Kumar were present.The Minister also attended a party meeting at Rayagada town where he accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of ignoring the problems of Odisha farmers. He said the Union ministers coming to Odisha are only shedding crocodile tears and making false promises. Poor farmers demanding their rights were gunned down in Madhya Pradesh, he said, adding that Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik believes in executing schemes for the benefit of people. “This is why, Naveen-led BJD has been in the power for the last 17 years,” the Health Minister said.