Assam Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ashok Singhal on Wednesday visited Silchar, where he inspected major healthcare institutions and reviewed the functioning of Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMCH) and the Health Department in Cachar district.
During the visit, he emphasised the need to improve the quality of medical services, strengthen healthcare infrastructure, promote preventive healthcare practices and ensure greater accountability in public health administration.
The Minister began the day’s programme with a visit to Satindra Mohan Dev Civil Hospital, where he inspected various departments and took stock of the facilities and services available to patients.
During his interaction with patients undergoing treatment, he enquired about the medical attention they were receiving, the availability of essential facilities and the difficulties they faced.
The Minister subsequently visited the Silchar Cancer Centre under the Assam Cancer Care Foundation, where he inspected various departments and reviewed the cancer treatment facilities available to patients. He interacted with patients undergoing treatment,also enquired about their well-being and sought feedback on the care and services being provided to them.
As a gesture of compassion and encouragement, the Minister also distributed fruits among the patients undergoing cancer treatment.
Continuing his inspection, the Minister visited Silchar Medical College and Hospital, where he reviewed the functioning of various departments and assessed the overall delivery of medical services.
He also inspected the Maternal and Child Healthcare Centre and took stock of the facilities available for mothers and children.
Later, the Minister chaired a review meeting along with Minister Kaushik Rai at the conference hall of Silchar Medical College and Hospital.
During the review meeting on the functioning of SMCH and district health services, Minister Singhal reiterated his vision of building a healthy society by ensuring quality healthcare services for every citizen. He stressed the need to make healthcare institutions more efficient, accessible and responsive to the needs of the public.
He also expressed his vision of developing Silchar Medical College and Hospital into a more advanced healthcare institution equipped to provide improved facilities and quality medical treatment to people across Barak Valley and beyond.
Highlighting the importance of preventive healthcare, the Minister stated that the health clubs should be made active in all schools across Assam.
He stated that encouraging students to adopt healthy habits from an early age would contribute to their physical wellbeing and help nurture a healthier future generation.
The Minister also reviewed the key health indicators, progress in healthcare delivery, the status of medical infrastructure and the implementation of various government health schemes in Cachar district.
The Minister advised the district administration to motivate all departments associated with healthcare delivery to adopt a more service oriented and people centric approach.
He stressed the importance of coordination, accountability and dedication among officials and healthcare personnel to improve institutional functioning and ensure that public health services reach beneficiaries effectively.
As part of the proposed administrative measures to strengthen accountability, the Minister suggested introducing biometric attendance for healthcare personnel in Cachar district on a pilot basis.
Regular monitoring and review of departmental activities were also discussed as essential measures for identifying shortcomings and improving the quality of public healthcare delivery.
The Minister was accompanied during the visit by Minister Kaushik Rai, Borkhola MLA Kishor Nath, Katigorah MLA Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha, Cachar District Commissioner Rahul Kumar Gupta, SMCH Principal Dr. Abhijit Swami, National Health Mission, Assam, Mission Director Dr. Lakshmanan S., the Joint Director of Health Services and other officials of the Health Department.