Free diagnostic and medicine schemes should reach the common people: Dr Ranjan
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR
Imphal, November 30 2023:
Health & IPR Minister Dr Sapam Ranjan Singh has asserted that free diagnostic and free medicine schemes of the Government should reach the common people.
The Minister was speaking as the chief guest of the launching cum awareness program on "Gender based violence and medico legal care for survivors, victims of sexual violence" held at Hotel Imphal today organised by Directorate of Family Welfare Services and State Health Society, NHM Manipur.
On the occasion, Dr Sapam Ranjan stated that the Government has introduced many welfare schemes.
Priority has been given to the health sector and the public should have knowledge and awareness of the benefits of the health and medical schemes of the Government.
The Government is also providing cost effective generic medicines which have its standard efficacy.
Such health schemes have helped low income households, he added.
The Health & IPR Minister maintained that concerned officials of the Health Department should be sincere in their efforts to ensure that the public is able to avail the benefits of the various health schemes.
The medicines supplied to the Government hospitals should be distributed to the visiting patients.
The Department of Social Welfare and Health Department also need to work together, the Minister suggested.
He also touched upon various forms of gender-based violence such as psychological violence and economic violence which remain largely invisible in the public sphere.
In order to tackle these issues, there is a necessity for departmental coordination as well as consulting the subject experts, he said.
Speaking as the functional president, Pradeep Kumar Jha, IAS, Commissioner, Health, pointed out that many cases of gender based violence have been reported in the last few months in Manipur.
He asserted that mutual respect between different genders will help in preventing this violence.
The concept of gender equality amongst people is also required.
Awareness in this regard is necessary for timely prevention of gender-based violence, he added.
The Health Commissioner also expressed alarm that "one in three women" have been impacted by gender-based violence in their lifetimes.
Thus, he expressed appreciation for the awareness program while underscoring its importance.
Meanwhile, Ng Uttam Singh, Director, Social Welfare informed that one-stop centres have been established in every district to provide medico legal services to women victims of gender based violence.
In case women in need of help are unable to locate these centres, they can make calls to helpline number 181 and get the necessary information, he added.
It may be noted that Ng Uttam Singh along with Dr L Tomcha Khuman, Director, Family Welfare Services, Manipur and Dr Somorjit Ningombam State Mission Director, NHM, Manipur graced the occasion as guests of honour.