Minister sets 15-day deadline for improvement in health services

PNS

Ranchi

In a bid to strengthen, streamline and make healthcare services more accountable and citizen-centric, Jharkhand Health Minister Dr. Irfan Ansari and Additional Chief Secretary of the Health Department Ajay Kumar Singh on Friday held a marathon review meeting with Civil Surgeons, Deputy Superintendents (DS) and senior health officials from all districts of the state.

The nearly three-hour-long meeting reviewed the functioning of hospitals, availability of doctors, medicine supply, ambulance services, health infrastructure and preparedness for the upcoming monsoon season.

During the meeting, Dr. Ansari issued a stern directive, asking all districts to ensure tangible and visible improvements in healthcare services within the next 15 days. He warned that any negligence, indifference or laxity in matters concerning public health would no longer be tolerated.

The minister advised officials to coordinate with local MLAs and public representatives to resolve any obstacles affecting healthcare delivery. He urged them to work fearlessly and with complete honesty, sensitivity and commitment towards public welfare.

Announcing a major initiative to improve emergency healthcare access, Dr. Ansari said that four additional ambulances would be provided to every Sadar and Referral Hospital in the state. These ambulances will function separately from the existing 108 ambulance service, ensuring faster response and timely transportation of critically ill patients.

To improve ambulance operations, hospitals will also be equipped with necessary technological support and tablets. Accountability for ensuring the prompt availability of ambulances will be fixed on Civil Surgeons and Deputy Superintendents.

Highlighting the challenges posed by the monsoon season, the Health Minister directed all districts to ensure adequate stocks of medicines, sufficient hospital beds, doctors, nursing staff and other essential resources to deal with a likely rise in cases of dengue, malaria, viral fever and other seasonal diseases.

In a strong message to district health authorities, Dr. Ansari instructed all Civil Surgeons to reside within Sadar Hospital premises and remain readily available during emergencies. He warned that officers leaving headquarters without prior permission would face strict departmental action, including suspension.

Additional Chief Secretary Ajay Kumar Singh also pulled up officials during the meeting, stating that their responsibilities extend beyond office work and include reaching out to people and addressing their problems on the ground. He said the government had entrusted them with the task of improving healthcare services and expected visible results.

Dr. Ansari directed NHM Managing Director Shashi Prakash Jha to provide Civil Surgeons with adequate administrative powers to enable faster and more effective decision-making at the district level. He also clarified that Civil Surgeons would be held fully accountable for the healthcare system in their respective districts.

Concluding the meeting, Dr. Ansari urged officials to work with honesty, accountability and sensitivity, stressing that timely resolution of even minor issues is key to delivering better healthcare services. He reiterated that providing quality healthcare to citizens remains the government’s highest priority and that negligence at any level would not be tolerated.

The meeting was attended by Civil Surgeons, Deputy Superintendents, senior NHM officials and other top officers of the Health Department from across Jharkhand.