Guwahati, July 20 (IANS) Assam Health Minister Ashok Singhal on Monday directed officials to ensure the availability of Caesarean section (C-section) services in every Assembly constituency, while simultaneously placing the Health Department on high alert to tackle any public health emergency arising from the worsening flood situation in Upper Assam.
Chairing a comprehensive review meeting in Dispur, Singhal assessed the healthcare delivery system in the districts of Dhubri, South Salmara-Mankachar, Kokrajhar, Chirang, and Bongaigaon.
The meeting was attended by MLAs from the five districts, senior officials of the Health and Family Welfare Department and the National Health Mission (NHM), Assam.
The minister reviewed healthcare infrastructure, availability of doctors and health workers, implementation of government health schemes and the quality of medical services being provided in the districts.
Emphasising maternal and child healthcare, Singhal instructed officials to initiate measures for providing C-section facilities through qualified doctors in every Assembly constituency.
He said the move would help reduce the need to shift pregnant women with complicated deliveries to distant hospitals and ensure timely access to life-saving treatment.
He also asked officials to intensify efforts to reduce maternal and infant mortality, identify high-risk pregnancies at an early stage, expand access to free dialysis services and improve key public health indicators across the state.
The minister reviewed the implementation of major public health programmes, including the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK), Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK), School Health Clubs and the TB-free India campaign, while stressing the need for better healthcare outreach in rural areas.
Meanwhile, Singhal also held an emergency video conference with officials of Assam Medical College, Jorhat Medical College and the district administrations of Jorhat, Charaideo and Sivasagar in view of the prevailing flood situation.
He directed health authorities to maintain adequate stocks of essential medicines, establish special medical teams for emergency deployment, organise health camps in flood-affected areas, and ensure access to safe drinking water and sanitation to prevent outbreaks of waterborne diseases.
The minister instructed all concerned departments to remain on round-the-clock alert and ensure immediate medical assistance and relief for people affected by the floods.
–IANS
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