GUWAHATI, July 20: Assam health minister Ashok Singhal on Monday directed the state health department to remain on high alert and fully prepared in view of the worsening flood situation in the state.
Chairing an emergency video conference with officials of Assam Medical College, Jorhat Medical College, and the district administration of flood-affected Jorhat, Charaideo and Sivasagar, Singhal instructed officials to ensure adequate stocks of essential medicine, keep emergency medical teams ready for deployment, organise health camps in flood-affected areas, and give special attention to safe drinking water and sanitation.
The health minister also directed officials to respond quickly to any health emergencies and ensure timely medical assistance and relief for people affected by the floods
Earlier, in a bid to strengthen the state’s healthcare system and improve access to quality health services at the grassroots level, he chaired a review meeting on the health infrastructure of Dhubri, South Salmara-Mankachar, Kokrajhar, Chirang and Bongaigaon districts.
The meeting was attended by MLAs from the five districts, senior officials from the health and family welfare department, and officials of the National Health Mission (NHM), Assam.
The meeting reviewed the overall healthcare situation in the districts, including medical infrastructure, availability of doctors and healthcare workers, implementation of various government health schemes, and the quality of healthcare services being provided to the public.
During the meeting, the minister directed officials to take necessary steps to introduce Caesarean section (C-section) delivery services in every Assembly constituency through qualified doctors.
He said this would help ensure timely treatment for complicated pregnancies and reduce the need to refer pregnant women to hospitals located far away, thereby improving maternal and newborn healthcare.
Singhal also stressed the need to further reduce maternal and infant mortality rates, identify high-risk pregnancies at an early stage, expand access to free dialysis services, and improve key health indicators across the districts.
