Health Minister Ashok Singhal Reviews Department Performance; Orders Key Measures to Strengthen Healthcare in Flood-Hit Areas

Assam Health and Family Welfare Minister Ashok Singhal on Sunday chaired a high-level review meeting at the National Health Mission office in Guwahati to assess the performance of the Health and Family Welfare Department, with an exact importance on the delivery of services in flood-affected areas.

During the meeting, Minister Singhal directed the department to start a Fast Referral Unit (FRU) in each Assembly constituency to deliver round-the-clock maternal, pediatric, and emergency health services. He emphasised the need for continuous health check-ups and the prompt distribution of essential medicines at flood relief camps.

Acknowledging the sharp risk of waterborne and vector-borne diseases during floods, the Minister instructed doctors, nurses, and health workers to remain vigilant and responsive. He specifically studied efforts to control the spread of malaria in the Indo-Bhutan border areas of Kokrajhar and Chirang districts.

In a bid to strengthen community health, Singhal also directed the Director of Ayush, Assam, to initiate regular yoga training sessions at every Ayushman Arogya Mandir as part of the Fit India Movement, cheering public partaking in precautionary healthcare applies.

The Minister highlighted the urgency of fully digitizing administrative and information systems within the department to enhance operational efficiency and transparency. He instructed officials to ensure continuous obtainability of essential medicines in all government hospitals across the state.

To enhance service quality, Singhal called for regular training and personality development programs for healthcare personnel, including doctors, nurses, ASHA workers, and other frontline staff.

The meeting also featured a comprehensive review of the state's blood bank infrastructure, the implementation status of flagship health schemes such as Ayushman Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) and Ayushman Assam–Mukhyamantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AA-MMJAY), as well as precautionary strategies in view of a recent rise in COVID-19 infections.

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Highlighting a people-centric method, Singhal urged all stakeholders to safeguard timely and real delivery of healthcare services, particularly during natural disasters.

The review was attended by senior officials including Dr. P. Ashok Babu and Barnali Sharma, Commissioners and Secretaries; Dr. Siddharth Singh, Commissioner & Secretary of Medical Education and Research; Dr. Umesh Phangcho, Director of Health Services; Kamaljit Talukdar, Director of Health Services (Family Welfare); and Dr. Manoj Choudhury, Executive Director of the National Health Mission, Assam.