Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 19:
For effective implementation of the National Rural health Mission launched by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on April 12, Deputy Commissioners of concerned districts have been intimated to attend a meeting scheduled tomorrow under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary.
In the first phase, the Mission targets 18 States including Manipur.
Informed sources disclosed that the focal point of discussion in the said meeting will be on detailed assessment for activation of the Mission which targets extensive reach of medical care in the rural areas within 2005-2012 under the supervision of Union Ministry of health and Family Welfare.
Constitution of Health Mission at State, district and village levels for effective implementation of the ambitious programme may be the central agenda of the meeting, the source speculated.
The source informed that on April 1 a meeting chaired by the Health Minister was convened wherein representatives of the health Department, Family Welfare, PHE, Panchayat and Social Welfare endorsed setting up a State Health Mission.
Proceedings of the meeting which include appointment of the Chief Minister as the chairperson of the State Health Mission with the Health Minister as co-chairperson with either the Principal Secretary or Commissioner as convenor along with nomination of higher officials of related Department as its members have been placed before the Chief Minister for perusal on the matter.
The Chief Minister is likely to approve the proposal at the earliest to facilitate expeditious implementation of the nationwide programme, conveyed the source.
With ensuring adequate health of women and children at rural areas being the guiding principle of the Mission, equal stress has been given on proper sanitation, hygiene, nutritious diet and clean drinking water in villages.
Detailing that the underlying aim of the Mission is to reduce casualty during childbirth and infant mortality by over 50 percent from the present rate within the next seven years, the source added that remodelling existing village health plan, upgradation rural hospitals by 2007, re-charting district health plan and extending technical support is being envisaged under the Mission.
To attain the goal of the Mission attention is being given in training women worker for active participation in programmes to be carried out under Village Health Mission.