Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna launched a fleet of 90 ambulances under the Khushiyon-Ki-Sawari scheme, National Rural Health Mission, at a function held at Parade Ground in Dehradun on Saturday.
The life-saving ambulances are equipped with the latest medical equipment and will help provide immediate medical relief to villagers living on the fringes of the State.
At a Press conference in Dehradun, Bahuguna said all villagers living in remote corners of the State are forced to traverse several kilometres to access medical and health services. Tough geographical conditions in the Garhwal and Kumaon divisions of Uttarakhand do not help.
The CM pointed out that the new ambulances would be proved very useful for transportation of expecting mothers to hospital when they went into labour, or for getting home newborns along with mothers from hospital. The service will be available free of cost.
“The State Government has approved medical colleges in Dehradun, Almora and Rudrapur for improving health services,” said Bahuguna, adding that construction work for medical colleges at Dehradun and Almora would start soon.
Bahuguna told the gathering that Rs 723 crore has been sanctioned for the medical and health department and salary of medical officers has been doubled.
He said pilgrims would be able to avail of the best medical facilities during the Char Dham Yatra as 15 locations had been identified for medical camps along the yatra route. NGOs will also assist the State during yatra season.
Bahuguna said the Centre had also sanctioned Rs 82 crore for various beneficiary schemes. He added that he would urge the Centre to give green bonus to Uttarakhand.
On the occasion, Union Water Resource Minister Harish Rawat too said villagers would be among the main beneficiaries of the new ambulances. State Health Minister Surendra Singh Negi said the service would prove extremely beneficial for curtailing mother and infant mortality rate in Uttarakhand.
State labour Minister HC Durgapal, MlA Subodh Uniyal, Rajkumar, lalit Pharswan, Vikram Singh Negi, Surveer Sanjwan and others were also present.
