Will meet JP Nadda to increase health facilities of the state: Minister Dr. Irfan Ansari

 

Ranchi: Jharkhand Health Minister Dr. Irfan Ansari has urged the Central Government to give a special package for the expansion of health facilities in view of the socio-economic condition of the state and the tribal majority. He made this demand in the review meeting of health programs organized by Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda through virtual medium.

    State Health Minister Dr. Ansari participated in this meeting from the RCH auditorium of National Health Mission located at Namkum. He was accompanied by Additional Chief Secretary Ajay Kumar Singh, Campaign Director Abu Imran, Director General of Health Services Dr. Chandra Kishore Shahi and other officials.

        TB Free India Campaign, Measles-Rubella Vaccination, Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), 15th Finance Commission Grant, and PSA Plant Operations were discussed in the meeting.

       Dr. Ansari informed that TB patients in Jharkhand are now being given nutrition assistance of Rs 1000 per month instead of Rs 500 under the "Nikshay Aahar Yojana". So far, Rs 12 crore has been transferred to the patients through DBT. So far 226 panchayats have been declared TB free in the state. Also, the 100-day TB Free India campaign is being run seriously in the state. 

       For the prevention of measles and rubella, 45 lakh children were vaccinated in 9 high-risk districts - Sahebganj, Pakur, Godda, Jamtara, Dhanbad, Deoghar, Giridih, Koderma and Dumka in the year 2023. At the same time, in the financial year 2024-25, MR-1 vaccine was given to 8,41,319 children and MR-2 vaccine to 7,83,165 children. For this, a comprehensive public awareness campaign is also being run. Dr. Ansari reiterated the demand for setting up AIIMS in Ranchi, five new medical colleges and a medical city and said that a backward state like Jharkhand should be given special priority in the field of health.

      During the meeting, Union Minister J.P. Nadda praised the work being done by the Health Department in the state and said, "You are doing good work, I appreciate your thinking and will help in every possible way". He directed Dr. Ansari to come to Delhi within a week with a detailed report, so that the needs of Jharkhand can be discussed in detail.

      Dr. Ansari informed that approval has been given for construction of Community Health Centers (CHC) in 1170 panchayats, and the Health Department is working rapidly so that health facilities can be made available even in remote and inaccessible areas.

       In the meeting, instructions were also given by the Central Government to spend the health grant amount of the 15th Finance Commission with priority in this financial year.