Jammu: District Magistrate, Sachin Kumar Vaishya on Saturday convened a meeting with Block Medical Officers to assess the state of the health sector and ways to augment the services in the district.
During the meeting, the DM emphasised the need for augmenting the peripheral hospitals and medical centers to efficiently serve the healthcare needs of the public without routinely referring cases to Government Medical College or other city hospitals. He stressed the importance of Community Health Centers (CHCs) in meeting the medical needs of rural areas, besides giving equitable services to urban areas as well.
Strategies for strengthening CHCs and other medical facilities were discussed and it was decided that Block Medical Officers and Sub Divisional Magistrates would conduct regular visits to assess these facilities’ capacity and service delivery. Additionally, they will identify the facilities’ requirements in terms of staff, equipment and machinery and address any constraints they may face.
Sachin highlighted the necessity of implementing remedial measures to revitalise the health sector, rather than resorting to punitive measures. He also underscored the need to bolster medical facilities in urban areas.
The meeting also addressed the role of private medical facilities, nursing homes and clinics, with an emphasis on making Jan Aushadhi Kendras more accessible to the public. Discussions revolved around enhancing the functionality of these Kendras.
Furthermore, the meeting touched upon health-related preventive activities such as deworming campaigns, raising awareness about non-communicable diseases and the Anaemia Mukt Bharat initiative.
Additionally, the meeting covered topics like Poshan Abhiyan and mid-day meals for children and the role of ASHA workers.
Key officials attending the meeting included Chief Planning Officer, Yoginder Katoch besides CMO, Dr Harbaksh Singh.
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