BHUBANESWAR: Health and Family Welfare Minister Pratap Jena on Tuesday stressed on quality and timely healthcare services in remote and tribal dominated areas of the State.
Reviewing the progress of various health programmes, Jena directed Chief District Medical Officers (CDMOs) and Additional District Medical Officers (ADMOs) to go on field visits regularly and ensure that benefits of schemes reach the people.
The Health Minister asked officials to initiate steps for complete ban on sale of gutka and chewable tobacco products and stringent action against those who are found violating it.
Despite the ban on tobacco products since January, 2013, the trade continues to flourish in Odisha in absence of strict enforcement. According to a study, 20 per cent of the State’s population still consume gutka and tobacco products.
Jena emphasised on upgradation of operation theatre in Government hospitals upto Community Health Centre (CHC) level so that people can take benefit of it and would not have to spend more on surgeries in private hospitals.
He also directed health officials to find out the status of equipment supplied to Government hospitals across the State and the reason for those lying unutilised. Seeking a detailed report on medical apparatuses, he focused on their proper utilisation.
‘’I have asked the officials to find out if the equipment, which are in usable condition, are kept idle due to lack of laboratory technicians. In such cases, steps would be initiated to fill up the vacancies on a priority basis,’’ Jena told reporters after the review.
The Minister focused on making village health and sanitation committees more active as the panels provide an opportunity for people to participate in planning and implementation of interventions for the local health and sanitation issues.
Besides asking the Drug Controller for regular quality checking of medicines manufactured and sold in the State, Jena directed Food Safety officials to inspect different kinds of foods randomly on a regular interval.
Health Secretary Dr Pramod Kumar Meherda apprised the Minister of present health indicators, infrastructure, staff strength and status of different health schemes being implemented in the State. Jena had taken oath as Health Minister on Sunday.
Among others, Director of National Health Mission Shalini Pandit, Director of Odisha State Medical Corporation RP Singh and Director of Health Services Dr KC Dash were present.