GANGTOK, (Raj Bhavan): Governor Om Prakash Mathur chaired a meeting with State health officials at Raj Bhavan today wherein the State government health facilities and schemes were discussed in detail. The meeting was attended by principal secretary of Health and Family Welfare department, Sanoj Kumar Jha, secretary to the Governor, Jigmee D Bhutia, Health secretary M. Bharani Kumar, STNM Hospital medical superintendent and senior officials.
During the meeting, the Governor called upon officials to focus on the goal of ‘Health for All’ and ensure healthcare services are efficient, effective and equitable at the grassroots level.
The Governor reviewed the ongoing projects, viz., progress of under construction 30-bedded Sowa Rigpa Hospital at NIT Deorali, 500-bedded hospital at Namchi, district hospital at Singtam and other key health infrastructure projects in the State.
The Governor expressed his concern over highest suicide rate, decline of total fertility rate in the State and drug abuse cases and further directed the officials to work out a strategy to further improve the total fertility rate, prevention of suicide cases, mental health illness and other raising cancer cases in the state. He said the health department must ensure the optimal utilization of medical facilities by the general public in their respective hospitals and health centres.
The Governor urged officials that the central government schemes should be implemented without any delay and must be monitored on a regular basis. He further asked to expand Jan Aushadhi Kendra is other districts as well and to increase mobile village clinics.
Health and Family Welfare department officials apprised the Governor on various initiatives taken by the State health department for better health facilities.