The State Government is all set to launch ‘102’ National Ambulance Services (NAS) for free referral transport of pregnant women and sick infants under the Janani Sishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) and free mobile ambulance service for sick children aged between 0-18 years under the Rashtriya Bal Suraksha Karyakram (RBSK) in July across the State.
“Around 350 ‘102’ ambulances and at least 728 mobile ambulances for children under RBSK scheme will run in the State in July,” informed Health and Family Welfare Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak here at the valedictory function of the annual review of National Health Mission (NHM) Programme Implementation Plan (PIP) 2013-14 with focus on reproductive maternal newborn and adolescent health (RMNCH+A).
Health Secretary PK Mohapatra said, “The problem of infrastructure in health institutions will be solved by 2017. Doctors and concerned officials working in grassroots level should focus on proper implementation of various Government schemes and particularly in ensuring in providing free medicines to the patients.”
“I warned all the CDMOs and the concerned health officials of strict legal action if they fail to provide free medicines to the patients visiting their hospitals under their jurisdiction. Criminal cases will be initiated against those who will indulge in financial irregularities too,” the Secretary cautioned.National Health Mission Director Roopa Mishra informed that drug distribution centres would be opened at all the district headquarters hospitals in the first phase shortly which would later extended to primary health and community health centres. All the CDMOs and other senior health officials attended the event.