Minister Ashok Singhal Reviews Healthcare System in Majuli
By Dalim Phukan
Guwahati/Assam, Aug 28 : Assam Health and Family Welfare Minister Ashok Singhal visited Majuli yesterday and inspected various healthcare institutions in the district, taking stock of the medical services, health infrastructure and overall healthcare system.
The Minister visited the 50-bedded Ayurvedic Hospital at Sriram Chapori in the morning and reviewed the healthcare services, treatment facilities and overall functioning of the institution. During the visit, he interacted directly with doctors and healthcare workers, as well as patients and their attendants. He was apprised of various problems and requirements of the hospital and sought suggestions for further improving the quality of medical services.
The Minister said that necessary steps would be taken at the earliest to resolve the problems he observed during the inspection. He said that one of the government’s key objectives is to develop a strong, accessible and quality healthcare infrastructure for the people of Majuli by ensuring proper coordination between traditional Ayurvedic treatment and modern healthcare services.
Thereafter, the Minister visited Sri Sri Uttar Kamalabari Satra, one of the important centres of Majuli’s spiritual and cultural heritage. At the historic Satra, founded in 1595 Saka by Badala Padma Ata, a close disciple of Mahapurush Madhavdeva, the Minister offered prayers.
During his visit to the Satra, the Minister spent some time amid the chanting of Harinaam by the devotees and the age-old traditions of Sattriya culture. He prayed for the welfare and prosperity of the people of Assam. He expressed hope that the ideals and blessings of the Mahapurushas would continue to guide him on the path of public service.
The Minister subsequently inspected the Sri Sri Pitambar Dev Goswami District Civil Hospital in Majuli and reviewed the ongoing medical services, infrastructure and other management arrangements at the hospital. During the inspection, he interacted directly with doctors, healthcare workers, patients and their attendants and took stock of the problems, experiences and requirements related to healthcare delivery.
The Minister said that the government is continuously working to ensure that every citizen of Majuli receives advanced and quality healthcare within the district itself. He also assured that necessary steps would be taken at the earliest to address the problems identified during his visit.
As part of the day’s programme, the Minister held a review meeting at the Majuli District Commissioner’s office on various health indicators under the Health and Family Welfare Department. He discussed maternal and child health, disease control, services provided by healthcare institutions, medical infrastructure and the progress of various health programmes with the concerned officials.
He emphasised the need for field-level measures to further improve the district’s health indicators and stressed making healthcare facilities more effectively accessible to the people.
During the visit, Majuli MLA Bhuban Gam, Additional Secretary of the Health and Family Welfare Department Munindra Nath Nangte, along with officials and employees of the Health Department and other concerned officials, accompanied the Minister.
