OUR CORRESPONDENT
ITANAGAR: Reiterating the Government's commitment to improving the health sector in the state, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Friday said that Covid-19 came as an eye-opening pandemic for the government.
Dedicating the outdoor patient department (OPD) block of Kamba community health centre (CHC) in the West Siang district, Khandu informed that about Rs 500 crore has been utilized to develop all the district hospitals of the state with infrastructure, manpower and equipment.
"The pandemic made us realize how ill-equipped we were in the health sector. Reviewing health infrastructure and services during the pandemic, we were shocked by its condition. Our government then decided with a commitment to revive and recondition our health delivery system that could cope with any kind of emergency," he said.
The Chief Minister added that most of the general (district) hospitals today have been facing lifted and a few are under process, a CMO communiqué informed.
The Bankim Pertin General Hospital at Pasighat, one of the oldest and with the most number of footfalls, is being developed into a 300-bed hospital, he said.
"Our efforts are bearing results. We have reduced the infant mortality rate to 10 per cent and reduced the human resources gap in the health sector from 33 per cent to 6 per cent. Also, institutional delivery has increased manifold," Khandu revealed.
He added that in the next phase, the State government would face lifting the CHCs across the state.
On being informed of the plans for further extension of the CHC, the Chief Minister assured support of the State government in terms of making funds available.
While congratulating the people, Khandu appreciated local MLA Nyamar Karbak for his efforts to develop the CHC by acquiring funds for the same through various means including SIDF and MLA LAD since 2018.
He said that the State government has recently announced several incentives for state government employees including doctors.
"Besides getting enhanced DA/DR and HRA at par with Central government employees, government doctors will also be provided Non-Practicing Allowance (NPA). It is up to individual doctors whether they want to avail NPA or not," he informed.
Khandu said that proposal has also been submitted to the Central government for upgrading the ANM school at Aalo to a B Sc nursing college.
"As soon as it is approved, we will start the upgradation work," he assured.
Later, Khandu visited the Kargu Gamgi (Indigenous prayer centre) at Kamba where he offered prayers to Almighty Donyi Polo and other indigenous tribal deities.
He joined the prayers offered by the Nyibus (priests) for the eternal peace of Jambey Tashi, Lumla MLA who died recently.
The indigenous faith believers present him with a collection of indigenous prayers and chants.
Legislators Karbak, Kento Jini and Gokar Basar were also present on the occasion.
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