Azad asks states to monitor fund use in health projects

Addressing a two-day meeting of State Health Ministers and senior health officials here, Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad flagged several areas of concern which needaction by the government.

"I would strongly urge all state Health Ministers and state Secretaries to closely monitor the financial progress and utilise the funds effectively and expeditiously," he said.

Expressing concern over issues that need attention, he highlighted the slow pace in creating health infrastructure and irrational deployment of doctors, which are affecting the functioning of various health units.

Azad also pointed to the large number of vacancies in high focus districts which have relatively poor health indicators.

"Facilities need to be strengthened for Janani Suraksha Yojana. It is important that the sanctioned works are executed in a time-bound manner and availability of trained staff is ensured," he said.

He also asked the states to integrate all modes of patient transport into a proper network, ensuring that the services reach intended beneficiaries.

For bringing mortality rates under control, he said "we must work very hard to achieve the goal of infant mortality below 30. We need to strengthen the capacity of both laboratory testing and treatment facility for MDR TB in each state."

Azad mentioned the need to control Japanese Encephalitis and dengue and said a multi-sectoral intervention programme is needed to include Panchayati Raj Institutions and local bodies for coordinated action. (More)