Chief Secretary Reviews Health Services – No Laxity Will Be Tolerated in Patient Care

Jaipur – The Rajasthan government is committed to making healthcare services across the state more patient- and public-friendly. The Medical and Health Department has been instructed to ensure effective implementation of all health programmes. The focus will remain on ensuring quality services related to heatstroke prevention, diagnostics, medicines, treatment, and functional equipment. Strict accountability will be established for any negligence in healthcare delivery from the state capital to rural areas.

Chief Secretary of the Medical and Health Department, Smt. Gayatri Rathore, issued these directives during a video conference held at the Health Bhawan on Saturday. She emphasized that the state government’s goal is to provide seamless and high-quality healthcare services to every citizen. A proactive approach must be adopted at the grassroots level, and negligence at any level will not be tolerated.

Priority to Heatstroke Management

The Chief Secretary instructed state-level officers, Chief Medical and Health Officers (CMHOs), and other officials to ensure that there is no shortage of diagnostic, treatment, and medicine services at health facilities. Specific arrangements should be made for managing heatstroke cases. Adequate stock of medicines, operational oxygen plants, and functional equipment must be ensured. Any disruption in medicine supply should be immediately escalated, and local procurement may be done based on fund availability. Equipment breakdowns should be addressed immediately, and alternative diagnostic arrangements must be made if necessary.

Accountability for Non-functional Machines

Smt. Rathore warned that any complaints about long-term non-functioning of diagnostic machines, especially during the heatwave period, will lead to accountability of the concerned institution heads. Western Rajasthan and other districts vulnerable to heatwaves must prioritize heatstroke management. She sought updates from each district regarding equipment functionality, availability of medicines, and staffing levels. State teams will conduct regular monitoring and ensure necessary arrangements based on daily reports. If there is a staff shortage, CMHOs should inform the headquarters and also engage contract-based services as per rules.

‘Nirogi Rajasthan’ Campaign and NCD Screening

Smt. Rathore emphasized the importance of the ‘Nirogi Rajasthan’ campaign launched by the state to promote healthy lifestyles and prevent serious diseases. Regular activities must be conducted to make this campaign successful. CMHOs must ensure 100% screening for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among people aged above 30.

Accelerate ‘TB Mukt Bharat’ Campaign

The Chief Secretary highlighted that Rajasthan has shown good progress under the ‘TB Mukt Bharat’ campaign. All districts must continue their efforts to meet 100% targets. CMHOs should run TB eradication activities in mission mode and ensure regular monitoring and use of NAAT machines. The goal is to make as many gram panchayats TB-free as possible.

Building Safety and Fire Audits

She stressed the need for proper maintenance of healthcare infrastructure to ensure the safety of patients, attendants, and health workers. Facility heads must regularly inspect buildings and carry out necessary repairs. Fire safety audits should be completed without delay. Institutions yet to conduct such audits must do so immediately.

Campaign Against Food Adulteration

Given the summer season, Smt. Rathore directed food safety officers to intensify drives to check food quality and prevent adulteration. Regular sampling and public awareness campaigns must be conducted. Retailers, street vendors, and large-scale food producers should be inspected frequently, and violators should be penalized according to the law.

Pending UDID Certificates to be Cleared in 3 Months

The Chief Secretary ordered department officials to streamline the issuance of disability certificates (UDID) and clear all pending cases within three months. Any future delays will be met with strict action. The aim is to ensure that no person with disability has to face unnecessary hassle for certification. The Director of the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Mr. Bachnesh Agrawal, provided further guidance in this regard.

Immediate Relief to Silicosis Victims; Action Against Fake Reports

She reiterated the government’s commitment to support silicosis victims through various schemes. However, officials must ensure that no undue benefit is granted based on fake documents. Any involvement of health institutions or personnel in generating false reports will invite both departmental and legal action. Strict action will also be taken against those who fraudulently claim benefits.

Senior officials including RMSCL Managing Director Neha Giri, Food Safety Commissioner H. Guite, NHM Director Dr. Bharti Dixit, Additional Director Dr. T. Shubhamangala, and Public Health Director Dr. Ravi Prakash Sharma attended the meeting. All Zonal Joint Directors, Medical College Superintendents, CMHOs, PMOs, RCHOs, and District TB Officers also joined via video conferencing.