Shimla, Mar 20
Himachal Pradesh Government announced in the state assembly that the health department would honour those doctors, staff nurses, sanitation workers and other staff who served during the COVID pandemic in the health institutions.
Replying to a supplementary query asked by the BJP member Vinod Kumar of Nachana Health Minister Rajiv Saizal said that government would not only honour the 205 doctors who were contracted to novel Corona Virus during their duties but also staff nurses, lab, sanitation and other helpers who served in the state health institutions during the Covid Pandemic.
During the question hour Vinod Kumar said that 205 doctors of IGMC who are contracted to novel corona virus should be honoured by the Government.
Saizal said that not only those contracted but those given their services during such times too shall be honoured. Adding, “more over other staff like staff nurses, lab Workers, sanitation and Covid helpers in the hospital and outsource basis would also be honoured.” The date for the ceremony would be fixed soon.
Replying to supplementary of Cong member Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu Minister said that no proposal is under consideration of Government to provide any incentives to such COVID worriers.
Minister informed that out of total 728 doctors only 205 provided their services in the premier hospital Indra Gandhi Medical College Hospital Shimla. He said that one doctor (Dr Bansal) posted at Ner chowk died of Covid pandemic while serving on the duty.
Minister said so far in first and second phase total 1.90 Lakh People are Vaccinated with Covid Vaccine in the state. Minister said that in the third phase senior citizens above 60 yrs are being vaccinated on basis of their registration and medical certificate.
He said that 60207 total number people have contracted nCoV till yesterday. Currently there are 1124 active Covid positive cases in the state and 1003 people have died so far.
Talking on it, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said that Health has been the priority sector of this Government during the Covid pandemic and availability of doctors in many health institutions is a burning issue to be addressed by the Government soon. He said that vacant posts of doctors would be filled in all PHC and CHCs to overcome the shortage to render best health services to people of state.
He said that senior Cong Member Ram Lal Thakur who remained the member of Congress cabinet in the past had raised the issue of vacancy of doctors blaming government for disparity in the posting and deputation of doctors. He should understand that during the period of previous Governments all posts couldn’t be filled due to paucity of trained MBBS doctors. He said that it is a fact that many post of doctors are also lying vacant in his own constituency.
CM said that there are six Medical Colleges in the state now and a number of doctors would be available soon. Now doctors themselves are asking the government to post them in the tribal areas.
Health Minister Rajiv Saizal said that 661 various posts of different categories are lying vacant in different Health institutions of district Bilaspur. He said that compared to other districts, the state of vacancy is not so bad.
He said that CT scan facility is available in the district hospital however MRI facility is not available at Referral Hospital Bilaspur and services of private companies are being taken for the same.
He said that govt would provide more ambulatory service to the district and the issue would be taken with the centre to allow more ambulances in those hospitals where these facilities are not available. Minister said that the currently fixed fleet of 198 ambulances was approved by the Government of India and the ambulances could not be made available in all hospitals.
MLA Jeet Ram Katwal said that Posts of BMO Jhandutta are lying vacant for a long time and hospitals have become referral hospitals as most patients are being referred to IGMC Shimla.
Minister said that the post of BMO would be filled with in a month. He said that specialist doctors are not posted at PHCs. He said that CHC level specialist would be provided on the demand of members if it would be required. He said that post of doctors are lying vacant at PHC Garali.
Meanwhile, Ram Lal Thakur alleged that a number of posts of doctors are lying vacant moreover the posted doctors in his assembly segment are being deputed to other locations thus leaving the hospital without doctors.
Minister said that the allegation made by Thakur is not correct and the statement seems to vindicate the policies of the previous Government.
Col Inder Singh of Sarkaghat and Ram Lal Thakur said that post of gynecologist should be made available in all referral Hospital. Singh said that Civil Hospital Sarkaghat should be provided a Surgeons and gynecologist immediately.
Minister assured the members that posts would be filled soon in the hospital.
