On the clear instructions of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Health Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat, the Uttarakhand Health Department has intensified extensive preparations to organize “Health Fortnight” in the entire state from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday 17 September to Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday 2 October. In this regard, Health Secretary Dr. R. Rajesh Kumar reviewed the preparations by holding an important meeting with the departmental officials at the State Secretariat and issued necessary guidelines. The Health Secretary said that the goal of the Uttarakhand government under the leadership of the Chief Minister is to provide quality health services to the general public. During the Health Fortnight, free health camps will be organized in medical colleges, district and sub-district hospitals, community health centers and sub-centers across the state. In these camps, tests, consultation and medicines will be made available to the patients. Along with this, massive blood donation camps will also be organized at various places, in which common citizens, public representatives and students will also be encouraged for active participation.
*Health Secretary gave important instructions*
Chairing the meeting, Health Secretary Dr. R. Rajesh Kumar said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Health Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat, the state government is continuously making concrete efforts to make health services available to the last person. “Health Fortnight” is a big step in this direction, which aims not only to make health services accessible, but also to make people aware of diseases and promote voluntary participation. He directed the officials to prepare a concrete action plan to make the health fortnight a success and ensure its monitoring at every level. He also said that the campaign should be promoted as much as possible so that every section of the society can benefit from it. He clarified that active participation of MPs, MLAs, Mayors, Councilors and other public representatives should be ensured in this campaign.
*4604 camps will be organized across the state*
It was informed in the meeting that a total of 4604 health camps will be organized in the state. These include—
Almora – 522
Bageshwar – 109
Chamoli – 206
Champawat – 120
Dehradun – 425
Haridwar – 367
Nainital – 367
Pithoragarh – 679
Pauri – 573
Rudraprayag – 239
Tehri – 533
Udham Singh Nagar – 256
Uttarkashi – 208
Health Secretary Dr. R. Rajesh Kumar said that special consultation will also be provided to pregnant women, TB patients and patients suffering from serious diseases in these camps. Along with this, information about all the health schemes run by the central and state government will be given to the people.
*Major decisions taken in the meeting*
1. Blood donation camp – Large blood donation camps will be organized in every health camp of the state. Photography and report of these camps will be compulsorily sent to the government, so that its monitoring and transparency can be ensured.
2. Organizing at Medical College Level –
Special blood donation camps will be organized in all medical colleges. Medical students and doctors will also be actively involved in these camps so that the spirit of voluntary blood donation can be encouraged among the youth.
3. Establishment of Health Desk –
Health desks will be set up in major medical institutions and district hospitals. Information related to health fortnight, information about government schemes and free consultation will be provided to the patients coming here.
4. Preparation of SOP –
A standard operating procedure (SOP) will be issued by the Health Department soon. Under this, clear guidelines will be given to all the districts and units, so that there is no confusion or chaos during the campaign.
5. Specialist Camp –
Specialist camps will be organized up to the Community Health Center (CHC) level. In this, specialist doctors will provide their services for heart disease, diabetes, respiratory diseases, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics and other serious diseases.
6. Coordination with other departments –
Other departments will also be included to make the campaign successful. Their roles and responsibilities will be decided, so that the impact of the health fortnight can be increased further through a coordinated effort.
7. Cooperation of Food and Drug Controller Department –
With the cooperation of the Food Safety and Drug Controller Department, adequate availability of medicines and other essential materials will be ensured. Also, special attention will be paid to quality.
8. Cooperation of private medical and nursing colleges –
Private medical colleges, nursing colleges and private health institutions will also be included in this campaign. Their resources and manpower will be used in public interest.
9. Duty of specialist doctors –
Specialist doctors of medical colleges will be given duty in health camps. This will also provide expert consultation and treatment to patients from rural and remote areas.
10. Nishchay Mitra Initiative –
An initiative will be taken to make public representatives “Nishchay Mitra”. Under this, they will not only be a part of the camps, but will also help in connecting more and more people to health services.
Finally, Health Secretary Dr. R. Rajesh Kumar said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Health Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat, the health services of Uttarakhand are getting stronger day by day. “Health Fortnight” is not only an opportunity for health facilities for the people of the state, but will also prove to be a public awareness campaign,
