Raghubar Das

A healthy mind resides in a healthy body. There is no shortage of diseases and patients in the country. And the number of such people is on rise due to number of factors. In a bit to improve situation, every possible solution needs to be implemented, said Raghubar Das, Chief Minister of Jharkhand, while delivering speech at the Healthcare Summit held recently in Ranchi.

Organised by the Department of Health, Medical Education & Family Welfare, Government of Jharkhand along with Elets Technomedia, the conference witnessed congregation of policymakers from across country, international experts, and industry veterans deliberating on various facets of healthcare delivery mechanism.

SWELLING POPULATION TAKES TOLL ON INFRASTRUCTURE

The number of sick people is increasing and swelling population is one of the reasons. People should understand the consequences of population explosion which takes toll on existing infrastructure. Nonetheless, the State Government is taking all possible measures to provide better medical facilities to the people.

I appreciate NITI Aayog’s work in this direction. With smaller family size, health and economic standards become easier to maintain. Public awareness must be spread in this regard. A lot of work has been done in the field of healthcare, since our government took reins.

JHARKHAND STRIVING TO IMPROVE THINGS

According to NITI Aayog’s report, Jharkhand has performed well on various health parameters. The State got 3rd position which is a proof that the Government is striving to improve things.

The improvements have been witnessed in terms of maternal mortality rate (it was 400 per lakh in 2000, now it has reduced to 165 per lakh), infant mortality rate (it was 72 per 1000 in 2000, now it has been reduced to 29 per 1000), institutional delivery (it was 13.5 percent, now it has reached 87 percent), infant immunisation coverage (it was 9 percent before, now it has reached 87 percent).

Similarly, Jharkhand has obtained 3rd rank in providing OPD services. These statistics show that the state government is continuously working to make difference in the field of healthcare.

108 AMBULANCE AND BIKE SERVICES

Jharkhand’s biggest success story is 108 ambulance services. If any person makes a call on 108, emergency services arrives within 15-20 minutes at their doorstep. This has become most loved service in the state. This service is available across the state. On an average, 5000 calls are being received everyday and 8000 patients are treated for various illnesses. The service is popular in tribal areas. We also have bike ambulances which have been introduced as large parts of the State have a mountainous terrain where ambulances cannot reach. To provide emergency service to the tribal people living in these areas, state government has introduced this service.

ATAL MOHALL CLINICS

On the occasion of Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s death anniversary this year, Atal Mohall Clinics have been launched in various districts. Inspired by Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay’s dream of Antyodaya, we will have such clinics in all the urban areas of the state soon.

MEDICAL COLLEGES

It is little sad that even after 67 years of Independence, we have only three medical colleges in Jharkhand till date. After the arrival of Modi government in Centre, and at the same time, coming of BJP government in the state (double- engine government), three more medical colleges have been opened. In addition, there are two more colleges which are on various stages of completion. AIIMS, Deoghar has also been set up.

ASPIRING DISTRICTS

Our government’s objective is to make Jharkhand a medical hub. We are working in this direction. With an aim to establish most aspiring districts across Jharkhand, the state government has made one policy. If someone opens a hospital in a backward area, then 75 percent of the land cost will be covered by the state government; the investor only has to pay 25 percent of the land cost. Similarly, if you open a hospital in block areas then 50 percent of land cost is forgiven and if you open a hospital in urban areas then 25 percent of land cost is forgiven. We have installed single window system for industry and agriculture so that our investors do not have to knock on 10 doors to get their work done.

AYUSHMAN BHARAT SCHEME

Our government launched Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana in which 57 lakh families were supposed to be covered. Then came centre’s Aayushman Bharat which covered 28 lakh families in the State. We are resolute to cover 57 lakh families for which we have given Rs 400 crores from the state treasury. Till date, about 49 lakh families have already received the golden card. Jharkhand is the first state to have built a dedicated 30-bed hospital for Ayushman Bharat scheme in Jamshedpur. TATA steel was empanelled in this.

The state government has taken another decision to help the poor people who could not get Ayushman Bharat’s golden card because it required registration fees of Rs 23-25. We have decided to cover the registration fees so that the poor people do not have to face any hesitation in applying for the card. Our PM has a dream that just like rich people go to private hospitals for their treatments, the poor, in the face of any serious illness, should be able get their treatment free-of-cost in private hospitals.

We are promising all possible help to private players to open hospitals which would employment avenues for people.

GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS LACK INFRASTRUCTURE

After the economic reforms of 1991, health and education sectors underwent marketisation. When private schools and hospitals came in, the rich people went there because they had the money. And the poor went to government schools and hospitals. In Jharkhand, we aim to equip government hospitals in such a manner that they match the level of private hospitals. The disparity between rich and poor in availing health and education services has to end.

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