Chief Minister Pinarayi Vjayan has directed that stringent measures be initiated to ensure the quality of medicines distributed to patients through government hospitals, especially in the case of serious illnesses such as cancer.
He was speaking at a meeting called at the Chief Minister’s conference hall here on Wednesday to discuss the progress of the implementation of the Aardram Mission.
Health Minister K.K. Shylaja informed the meeting that steps to make government hospitals, including medical colleges, patient-friendly were progressing. She said that it had been decided to upgrade the infrastructure and facilities in 17 district hospitals, including general hospitals. Two hospitals each in Kannur, Kasaragod and Wayanad would be upgraded. Directions had been issued to create 1,430 new posts, excepting those of super-specialist doctors.
The functioning of outpatient (OP) wings in government hospitals would be made more efficient. As a first step, issuing of OP tickets would be made online from April 1 in all medical colleges and from July in all district and taluk hospitals.
As part of making hospitals patient-friendly, on-line patient registration, renovated counters, computerisation of OP management, token system, comfortable seats and provision of safe drinking water in waiting areas, adequate toilet facilities, location maps and signages were being envisaged.
Primary health centres would be converted as family health centres, which are equipped to handle the basic health issues of all families within its jurisdiction.
Apart from facilities to manage lifestyle diseases, the PHCs would have improved infrastructure, better equipment and additional posts of doctors and nurses, she said.
The cooperation of Local Self-Government Department and other departments were also being sought in these initiatives, Ms. Shylaja said.
Minister for Local Self-Governments K.T. Jaleel, Chief Secretary S.M. Vijayanand, Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Rajeev Sadanandan and senior officials participated in the meeting.
