People's Democracy

THE sixth Left Front government has launched a series of measures to strengthen and improve the health care system in the state. These were announced by the new health minister Dr Surya Kanta Mishra. One of the main decision was to involve urban local bodies and rural panchayats in augmenting the existing healthcare system of Bengal. Subsequently, need-based upgradation of the healthcare infrastructure shall be put in motion.

Dr Mishra said that apart from monitoring the performance of the hospitals in delivering the healthcare system, the rural and urban local bodies would be asked to ensure that appropriate levels of work culture was maintained in the hospitals and health centres. From the district levels downwards, the hospitals would be provided with sufficient amount of administrative power to make sure that the hospital authorities do not have to run to the Writers’ Buildings for what are their routine endeavours.

Along with the devolution of autonomous powers to the hospitals, the Left Front government has also decided upon setting up supervisory committees for the hospitals. The committees will comprise local members of the Vidhan Sabha, elected members of the local bodies, and well-known doctors and medical practitioners. Each district hospital will be equipped with these committees whose effort shall be to see that local issues are tackled locally as far as delivery of the healthcare facilities are concerned.

To alleviate pressure on the Kolkata hospitals, district and sub-divisional sadr hospitals will have their facilities upgraded including a gradual increase in the number of beds. The referral system where complex cases are referred to the Kolkata hospitals shall be made more streamlined and free of procrastination.

Another key decision was to prepare a complete database of the doctors presently working in the government service. Data for each of the nine thousand-odd doctors would be computerized and the transfer policy built up based on this data. The transfer policy would be made as fair as possible so that doctors do not feel disgruntled with the terms of service. Dr Mishra has convened a meeting on June 7, which will be attended by district magistrates, chief medical officers of districts, and by the karmadhyakshyas of the appropriate committees of the Panchayats.