Tripura Health Minister Sudip Roy Barman making a slew of announcements on Tuesday said the retirement age of the doctors would be increased from 60 to 65 years to overcome the shortage of medical officers across the State.
Tripura Health Minister Barman made the announcements after a day-long meeting with the health directors on Tuesday.
Addressing a press conference in Agartala on Tuesday, Health Minister Barman said, “I had a review meeting with the health directors today. As per the pre-election promises, health sector is one of the top priorities of the BJP-led government in the State.”
He said, Aadhar-based biometric attendance and CCTV surveillance systems would be introduced in the Health and Family Welfare Department.
In order to improve the health scenario in Tripura, specialist doctors would be hired from outside on contractual basis so that the referral cases to outside the State would be minimal, said Barman
Several hospitals and sub-divisional hospitals would be upgraded and manpower would be increased in the department, he said.
“Steps will be taken to establish a drug de-addiction centre at Narshingarh,” the Tripura Health Minister said.
He also said efforts would be made to improve the existing telemedicine facilities throughout the State so that these facilities function in a smooth way.
He also announced that 21 e-hospitals would be introduced in the State at the initial stage.
Health Minister Barman said, “Reward for various staff members of the health sector will be given in recognition to their best performance.”
A total of 50 GPS-enabled (102) lifesaving ambulances would be introduced in the State besides there will be 104 helpline number to get free information on the health sector.
Informing that 29 health centres across the State will be upgraded, Health Minister Barman said, “Skill development programme will be conducted for doctors and nurses for safe delivery of babies.” He also stated that it will be made mandatory for the government doctors to prescribe generic medicines.
Drug controller testing lab will be strengthened so that spurious medicines can be stopped, he said.
Informing that convocation for passing-out students from the medical colleges would also be held, the minister said, “The fee structure of Agartala Government Medical College AGMC fees will be reviewed.”
The Health Minister was accompanied by the Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Samarjit Bhowmik, Director, National Health Mission (NHM) Sailesh Yadav, Director of Health Services, Dr JK Debbarma and Director, Community Medicine, Dr N Darlong.