Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra virtually chaired the meeting of the Governing Body of State Health Society, UT Ladakh on November 18.

Commissioner Secretary, Health and Medical Education/ Vice Chairman Governing Body, Dr Vansantha Kumar Namasivayam gave a detailed presentation on the Programme Implementation Plan (PIP) of the National Health Mission (NHM) for 2024-25 and 2025-26. He appraised the L-G of the maternal and child Health Indicators in UT Ladakh for the last five years. The indicators include Birth Rate, Death Rate, Growth Rate, Infant Mortality Rate, Maternal Rate, CPR, Sex Ratio at Birth (0-1) year, and Sex Ratio of total population. He informed about the number of health institutes functioning in Ladakh and human resources working in the health institutions in the region.

Commissioner Secretary, Health and Medical Education, Dr Vasanthakumar also informed that 288 sub-centres and 33 Primary Health Centres are functional as Health and Wellness Centres in Ladakh. He further informed about various activities carried out during the Ayushman Bhav campaign in all the Health and Wellness Centres of Ladakh. He informed that Mobile Medical Unit camps were organised in remote and far-off areas and tele-consultation, and Emergency Medical Ambulances (Dial 108) were provided under the Ayushman Bhav Campaign.

Dr Vasanthakumar informed about various projects and the budget proposed under Programme Implementation Plan (PIP) for FY 2024-25 and 2025-26. He informed that new human resources have been proposed for FY 2024-25 and 2025-26, about 28 Health and Wellness Centres approved by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and ₹72.15 lakh allocated for each centre. He said that the cost of each centre has been estimated at ₹150 lakh and requested the UT administration to allocate the remaining funds. He informed about Free Diagnostic Services in UT Ladakh and said that the UT Administration would provide diagnostic services available in government institutions to all the patients free of cost under this initiative.

He also informed about the screening of patients suffering from non-communicable diseases. He informed that the National Health Mission, Ladakh is conducting awareness camp on various National Health Programmes, including the Pradhan Mantri Dialysis Programme, National Tobacco Control Programme, National Programme for Prevention & Control of Deafness, National Programme for Palliative Care, National Programme for Control of Blindness & Visual Impairment and National TB Elimination Programme, etc.

Lieutenant Governor, Brig (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd) stated that healthcare facilities should be provided in every village and asked the concerned officials to prioritize the best medical infrastructure in remote and far-off areas of Ladakh. He also stated that the posting of doctors and paramedical staff needs to be rationalized. He directed concerned officials to ensure the best treatment for mother and child care, provide the best nutrition, and conduct camps on a regular basis to reach out to the rural areas.

L-G instructed that patients should avail the best treatment facilities and asked the officials to ensure the availability of doctors in emergency cases. He said that 28 Health and Wellness Centers approved by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare would be constructed by NHM and UT administration. He suggested to construction of 14 centres by NHM and UT administration.

L-G approved the Free Diagnostic Service in Ladakh called, “Rin Mat Pa Stakchat”. He assured equal development of health care facilities in Ladakh. LG also approved the transfer policy of paramedical staff under NHM and also decided to adopt the intra-district transfer policy by the District Health Society under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioners.

Chairman, LAHDC Kargil, Mohd Jaffer Akhoon requested the L-G to open DNB Centre, Oncology Centre District Hospital Kargil and provide training to doctors and paramedical staff at AIIMS, Delhi, PGI Chandigarh, and SKIMS Srinagar. 

Chairman, LAHDC Leh, Tashi Gyalson suggested that the UT Administration should sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with renowned healthcare institutions like AIIMS, PGI, and SKIMS to provide better treatment to patients from Ladakh. He also requested the Administration to resolve the salary issues of Dental Surgeons engaged under RBSK and NHM.

Member of Parliament, Ladakh, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal said that the Administration should ensure the best treatment during emergency cases and requested the LG to start air ambulance in Ladakh. He said that health care centers in a few villages need to be regularized and a proposal for the creation of new healthcare centers should be sanctioned. JTN requested LG to develop healthcare centers on the National Highways with adequate medical facilities.

Advisor Dr Pawan Kotwal stated that DNB Centre would be established in Kargil. He requested the Chairman of LAHDC Kargil to identify and allot land for the construction of a staff quarter near the Health and Wellness Center in the Kargil district. He emphasised raising awareness among people and stated that citizens should participate and avail benefits of the centrally sponsored schemes under Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra which is scheduled to visit every village for the next two months.