Health Department Secretary Dr. Nitin Kulkarni has directed officials not to delay the pension payment to leprosy patients. Chairing a review meeting of the National Leprosy Eradication programme at RCH, Namkum on Tuesday, the Secretary said that there is a delay of 6 to 8 months in payment of pension to leprosy patients and it should not be so.
He also instructed the Civil Surgeons of all the districts to set up a health camp in leprosy shelters every month.
A video conferencing will be organized in connection with the programme, in which necessary guidelines will be given to the civil surgeon and district leprosy officials of the districts.
Kulkarni has instructed the District Leprosy Officers to inspect the leprosy shelters once a month and immediately resolve the problems of the patients.
He said that by doing so, it would be easier to know why they are having trouble in getting pension.
The Health Secretary has instructed that if monitoring was not possible from district level, then it can be done at the State level.
Health officials informed the Health Secretary regarding touch leprosy awareness campaign that in addition to issuing messages to the Deputy Commissioners, Gram Sabha Chiefs on January 30, school children will play the role related to the contribution of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi in the leprosy free campaign. Along with this, more programmes will be organized.
Mission Director (NHM) Kripa Nand Jha, Dr. Pushpa Maria Bek (Bakhla) and Women and Child Development Department, Panchayati Raj Department, representatives of human resources department and other health officials attended Were.