Start free health centres on Delhi pattern, says MP

Tribune news service

Chandigarh, May 26

Member of Parliament Kirron Kher suggested that free health centres on Delhi pattern be started in each locality of Chandigarh with the cooperation of non-government organisations, such as the Bharat Vikas Parishad and Sewa Bharti to name a few, for providing treatment of minor ailments. She said if such a proposal comes to her from the Administration she would take up the issue with the Centre.

Today a meeting of district city-level vigilance and monitoring committee of the National Health Mission was held at the UT Guest House under the chairmanship of Kirron Kher.

She stressed that cleanliness, hygiene and health facilities should be taken up on high priority. Primary health centres especially located in colonies and villages were in worst condition, because required staff and infrastructure were not available there. Consequently, there is a huge rush in big hospitals, such as the PGI, GHSH, Sector 16, GMCH, Sector 32, for treatment of minor diseases. If proper improvements are made in PHCs, the people can avail health services at the door step, it will ease pressure on big hospitals to a great extent.

During the meeting, Kher stressed that the officials should indentify mosquito breeding points and teams should be formed so that preventive steps are taken to prevent cases of dengue in Chandigarh.

In the meeting Kher was told that funds coming from the Centre for health services were not sufficient as there was rush of patients from Punjab and Haryana also. Kher said that she would take up the matter with Union Health and Family Welfare Minister so that there was no shortage of funds for health services. Dr Vanita Gupta, Director Health Services, Chandigarh, Ranjit Kaur Director, Rural Development, Shingara Singh, chairman, Zila Parishad were also present at the meeting.