NCDs double in 30 years, says Health Minister
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 06 2024: Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Sapam Ranjan has stated that cases of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have doubled in the State during the last 30 years.

He made this statement in the State Assembly today while discussing a Demand for Grants of Rs 1589,24,44,000 pertaining to Medical, Health and Family Welfare Services.

Replying to policy cut motions raised by other Members, Dr S Ranjan said that NCDs constituted 30 per cent of the total health problems in the State in the 1990's but it rose to 63 per cent in 2022 while cardio-vascular related problems constitute 27 per cent.

Taking due note of the changing scenario, a new scheme called CM Health for All was launched at the initiative of chief Minister N Biren, Dr Ranjan said.

The Government's primary objective is ensuring affordable, accessible and equitable healthcare facilities to all the people, he said.

For construction of a mental hospital in the State, an amount of Rs 7.47 crore has been sanctioned under the PM DeVINE.

For consultation on mental illnesses, 104 call centres have been opened and people may also contact Tele- MANAS Centres for mental health problems, he said.

It has been identified that one major factor for the rising cases of loss of eyesight in the State is cataract.

Of the total cases of loss of eyesight, 66 per cent are caused by cataract, he continued.

Against the annual target of 6000 cataract operations, 5184 (84 per cent) operations have been conducted this year.

The authority concerned has started issuing ABHA cards under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission.

So far, 9.45 lakh people have been enrolled under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission.

If one is a holder of ABHA card, his/her medical history and other details can be easily accessed whenever he/she goes for medical examination for the second time, the Health Minister stated.

He said that due approval has not been received for development of District Hospital, Sagolmang.

A proposal for development of the district hospital was sent to NECIDS in 2021 but it was turned down.

Again, funds were sought from PM JVK for development of the same hospital in 2022 but it has not been approved yet, Dr Ranjan said.

He informed the House that analog X-ray machines of 11 health centres have been upgraded to digital machines.

Out of 124 MOs recommended by MPSC for posting, offer forms have been given to 122 .

However 88 of them have left for PG courses while four SRs are also unable to perform duties as they are doing further studies, he said.

"I have personally inspected the dental chairs bought for JNIMS.

Moreover, a dental team too investigated the matter", the Health Minister said.

The dental chairs are given warranty up to March 23, 2026.The firm which supplied the dental chairs will fulfil other requirements by August 20, he said.

The violent crisis erupted not long after Churachandpur Medical College was opened.

But classes are being conducted in its Imphal campus too and the Government has been working to see that the medical college does not suffer from shortage of teachers, he continued.

Practical classes for the Imphal campus are being conducted at Thoubal District Hospital, Bishnupur District Hospital, UPHC Sangaipat and CHC Nambol.

The students are being accommodated in the State Academy of Training and JNIMS hostel.

JNIMS was earlier run by a society but it has been taken over by the Government.

Although there has been some delay on the account of the transition, a regular Director of JNIMS would be appointed soon, he said.

To an observation made by Okram Surjakumar, the Health Minister said that a proposal has been sent to the Finance Department for clearing Covid liabilities.

He said that free diagnosis has been suspended at RIMS in accordance with an MoU signed between RIMS and the NHM Manipur in 2017 .

Comment