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Health Infrastructure

Odisha CM Allocates ₹4,479 Crore for Integrated Healthcare Scheme

Bhubaneswar, February 12: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has proposed an allocation of ₹4,479 crore for the integrated Ayushman Bharat-PM Jan Arogya Yojana and Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana, aimed at providing affordable and quality healthcare to beneficiaries. The state government has signed an MoU with the Centre to roll out the integrated scheme this year, expanding treatment access to 29,000 empanelled hospitals nationwide, up from the current 900 hospitals, officials said. To address the shortage of medical professionals, the recruitment of over 5,000 doctors is underway, ensuring specialist availability in state-run medical facilities, including remote areas. Key budget allocations include: 🔹 ₹3,881 crore for health infrastructure under the Mukhya Mantri Swasthya Seva Mission (MMSSM) 🔹 ₹420 crore for the Ama Hospital scheme to enhance hospital services 🔹 ₹2,091 crore for free drugs, diagnostics, dialysis, blood services, and ambulances 🔹 ₹211 crore for a comprehensive cancer care plan, emphasizing early detection through advanced screening 🔹 ₹270 crore under the Swasthya Sahaya scheme to tackle diseases, strengthen OPD, public health labs, and research The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission will receive ₹100 crore to establish a digital health infrastructure, bridging gaps among healthcare providers. A chronic kidney care registry will also be maintained for improved monitoring and treatment. To ensure universal healthcare coverage, all Gram Panchayats will have Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, with ₹500 crore allocated for the initiative. A State One Health Cell will also be set up for emergency coordination. Additionally, ₹997 crore has been allocated under the Nirmal scheme to improve hygiene and ancillary services in public hospitals. Source: TOI

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Arunachal Pradesh Cabinet Approves Major Reforms for Holistic Development and Governance

The Arunachal Pradesh Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Pema Khandu, approved several landmark decisions during a meeting held on Monday. The meeting focused on the “Reforms 3.0” initiative, which aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for a developed India and a developed Arunachal Pradesh. The Cabinet reviewed and reaffirmed 24 action points, initially laid out in its first meeting on June 13, 2024. These points form the foundation of the state’s ambitious governance reforms, aimed at improving the quality of life for citizens, addressing youth aspirations, and fostering development through increased investments. The government emphasized a “whole-of-government” approach to ensure the successful implementation of these action points, stressing the need for department collaboration and technological interventions. Key decisions were made to streamline various sectors, including health, governance, and recruitment processes: Health Sector Boost: The state government highlighted its commitment to improving health infrastructure. Over the past eight years, initiatives have been launched to ensure affordable, accessible, and quality healthcare for all. The Cabinet approved amendments to the Arunachal Pradesh Health Service Rules, 2000, and framed recruitment rules for newly created posts like Director of Medical Education and Director of Family Welfare. Additionally, 10 new Nursing Superintendent posts were created, and the ‘Arunachal Pradesh Allied and Health Care Council Rules, 2024’ were approved. Governance and Recruitment Reforms: To enhance transparency and efficiency, the Cabinet approved amendments to various recruitment rules, including those for Group-A, B, and C posts. Changes were made to the minimum qualifying marks for ex-servicemen in Group-C posts to address the issue of vacant posts reserved for this category. The Arunachal Pradesh Staff Selection Board Rules, 2018, were also amended to include the APSSB in the selection process for Meritorious Sportspersons, ensuring compliance with central policy guidelines. Legal and Fire Services: The Cabinet approved amendments to recruitment rules for public prosecutors to align with new criminal laws, including the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita 2023 and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023. The recruitment rules for Sub Fire Officers in the Department of Fire and Emergency Services were also updated to meet current requirements. These comprehensive reforms are expected to bring transformative changes to Arunachal Pradesh’s governance, health, and administrative sectors, driving progress and development across the state. Source: India Today

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UP Govt Allocates ₹25 Crore for Repair Work of GIMS Hospital

The Uttar Pradesh government has allotted ₹25 crore to rebuild the Government Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS) in Greater Noida, state health authorities said on Thursday. GIMS, one of the largest government medical facilities in western Uttar Pradesh, is plagued by structural flaws in its foundation, which cause it to flood, authorities said. The institute, which covers 15 acres in Greater Noida’s Kasna district, began to develop fractures as a result of the pouring water. As a result, the administration has left a large portion of the basement unfinished. The Uttar Pradesh cabinet met earlier in June and authorised the allotment of cash for GIMS repairs. Apart from that, the cabinet accepted a plan to transfer ownership of the 500-bed government hospital from the Greater Noida administration to GIMS. The government hospital, built in 2011 by the Greater Noida council, was affiliated to GIMS, which was founded in 2016. Despite its affiliation with GIMS, the hospital was formerly overseen by the Greater Noida administration. Partha Sarthi Sen Sharma, senior secretary of the health and family welfare department, gave orders to GIMS and other agencies on July 14 to carry out the necessary repairs, authorities said on Thursday. “The governor approved the work to strengthen the basement of the GIMS hospital building in Greater Noida.” The Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA) will finish the Finance Expenditure Committee’s project at a cost of Rs. 25.48 crore, according to the letter signed by Sharma and copied to GIMS and Greater Noida. According to GIMS director Dr. (Brig) Rakesh Gupta, structural issues in the basement pose a significant risk to the five-story hospital structure, which sees thousands of patients every day for treatment. “Since 2019, we have been pleading with the state government to raise awareness of the problem, provide funding for repairs, and pick a company to do the work.

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Health Ministry Suspends Mandatory Linking of CGHS and ABHA IDs

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has announced the suspension of the compulsory linking of Central Government Health Services (CGHS) beneficiary IDs with Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) IDs until further notice. This decision, stated in an office memorandum signed by Satheesh YH, director of CGHS, follows a review of previous orders that had made the linkage mandatory. The mandatory linkage, originally set to be enforced from April 1 and later extended to June 30, aimed to integrate various government health schemes under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). However, practical issues, including data privacy concerns and the current state of technology infrastructure, appear to have influenced the decision to make the linkage optional for the time being. The CGHS provides comprehensive healthcare services to central government employees, pensioners, and their dependent family members, covering over 4.5 million people across 75 cities. In contrast, the ABHA ID is a unique 14-digit number identifying beneficiaries within India’s digital healthcare ecosystem. Despite the previous mandate, only 231,134 CGHS IDs had been linked with ABHA IDs by June 26, according to the CGHS dashboard. Experts have pointed out several issues with the mandatory linking of CGHS and ABHA IDs. Sunil Rao, COO of Sahyadri Group of Hospitals, highlighted data privacy concerns and the inadequacies in current technology infrastructure as potential reasons for the decision. An anonymous expert further noted that the government had not clearly outlined how digital records would be protected, despite assurances that records under ABHA ID would be encrypted and safeguarded under the Digital Protection of Data and Privacy Act. Rao welcomed the move, describing it as a balanced approach that allows time to address data security and system integration issues. He emphasized that making the linkage voluntary would enable the government to ensure infrastructural readiness and gain public acceptance before full implementation. The Health Ministry’s decision reflects a cautious approach, ensuring that when the policy is ultimately enforced, it will be with comprehensive preparedness and widespread support.

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