In a decisive move to strengthen Uttar Pradesh's flagship healthcare outreach program, senior health officials have issued strict directives to ensure the scheme's effectiveness reaches every intended beneficiary.
Zero Tolerance for Doctor Shortages at Health Melas
During a crucial divisional review meeting held in Ayodhya on Wednesday, Dr Pinky Jowel, the Mission Director of the National Health Mission (NHM), laid down a clear mandate. She emphasised that 100% availability of doctors must be guaranteed during the Mukhyamantri Jan Arogya Melas. These weekly Sunday events are a cornerstone of the state government's policy to deliver quality healthcare directly to people's doorsteps.
Dr Jowel stated unequivocally that the absence or a shortage of medical professionals at these camps fundamentally undermines their purpose, a situation she declared as unacceptable. To bridge potential gaps, she instructed authorities to utilise not only MBBS doctors but also to deploy AYUSH and BDS practitioners wherever necessary.
Comprehensive Guidelines for Effective Implementation
Beyond staffing, Dr Jowel outlined several operational requirements to enhance the patient experience and safety at the Arogya Melas. Her instructions included:
- Ensuring proper signage and geo-tagging of all health facilities for easy public access.
- Strict compliance with all fire safety norms at camp locations.
- Broadcasting pre-recorded awareness messages to educate attendees about health schemes and preventive care.
ACS Ghosh Reviews Health Services Across Divisions
The review meeting was chaired by Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Amit Kumar Ghosh of the health and family welfare and medical education departments. Prior to the meeting, Ghosh conducted an extensive evaluation of health services and their implementation across the Ayodhya, Devipatan, and Prayagraj divisions.
Addressing officials, ACS Ghosh stressed the imperative of delivering quality healthcare to citizens without any delays. He issued a series of directives to streamline operations and accountability:
- Divisional commissioners must conduct monthly reviews of the health department using a specially designed checklist and dashboard.
- All healthcare facilities must provide basic amenities, including separate toilets for men and women, citizen charters, complaint boxes, safe drinking water, and an uninterrupted power supply.
- Establishment of mini skill labs to enhance practical training.
- Regular monitoring of the Drug and Vaccine Distribution Management System (DVDMS) portal to ensure a seamless supply of medicines and timely indenting.
Ghosh specifically instructed Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) to personally monitor the Mukhyamantri Jan Arogya Melas held every Sunday. Furthermore, CMOs and Chief Medical Superintendents in districts where deficiencies were identified were directed to rectify all shortcomings within a stipulated timeframe.
Field Inspections and Public Feedback
The high-level review followed extensive inter-divisional field inspections. Officials visited district hospitals, community health centres, primary health centres, and Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. A significant and positive outcome noted was that a majority of beneficiaries expressed satisfaction with the services provided at these facilities, indicating a positive public response to the government's healthcare initiatives.
The concerted push from top health administrators underscores the Uttar Pradesh government's commitment to transforming public healthcare delivery, ensuring that schemes like the Mukhyamantri Jan Arogya Mela translate from policy into tangible, reliable service for the people.
