The Aryavarth Express
Agency(Mumbai): Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare and Tribal Affairs, Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar, led a crucial review meeting on the progress and implementation of health sector schemes in Maharashtra. The meeting, held at Sahyadri Guest House in Mumbai, saw the participation of senior officials from both the central and state health departments, including the Additional Chief Secretary, Health Department of Maharashtra, Shri Milind Mhaiskar; and Director, NHM-III, Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Shri Saroj Kumar.
Key schemes such as PM-ABHIM, Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission, National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) Certification, Ayushman Arogya Mandir, PMSSY, PMJAY, TB Elimination Programme, PMNDP, Cancer Care, and AYUSH hospitals were reviewed.
Dr. Pawar highlighted the central government’s funding initiatives aimed at bolstering health infrastructure and patient care effectiveness across the country. She directed the state health department to intensify mass screenings in tribal areas for sickle cell anaemia, proposing mandatory sickle-cell anaemia screening during pregnant women’s health check-ups. This directive aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s goal of eradicating sickle cell disease nationwide.
Additionally, Dr. Pawar urged for wider public engagement in tuberculosis screening campaigns and stressed the necessity of creating public awareness to become ‘Nikshaya Mitra’ in the fight against TB.
Under the Prime Minister Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) scheme, new medical laboratories have been established in four districts of Maharashtra, and 18 critical care blocks are under construction. Furthermore, 11,052 health centers in the state have been transformed into Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, offering services like diabetes and cancer screening.
In the field of medical education, Dr. Pawar noted the increase in medical education seats and ongoing work in medical colleges at Nandurbar and Gondia. She advocated for the use of Public-Private Partnerships in the health sector and the establishment of more chemotherapy centers for enhanced cancer diagnosis and treatment.
The review meeting also revealed that 69 lakh patients in Maharashtra have utilized the e-Sanjeevani teleconsultation facility. Regarding the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), it was noted that of the 3 crore 26 lakh target beneficiaries in the state, 24 lakh have already benefited, and Dr. Pawar instructed for swift completion of card distribution under this scheme.
Dr. Pawar further directed the utilization of the 15th Finance Commission fund and Covid Response Fund to strengthen Maharashtra’s health system. The ‘Kilkari’ project, an IVR-based mobile health service providing free, weekly messages about pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare, was also noted as successfully implemented in Gujarat and Maharashtra.
This meeting signifies a concerted effort to enhance healthcare facilities, medical education, and address critical health issues like sickle cell anaemia and tuberculosis in Maharashtra.