Health Minister Plans to Improve Healthcare for Tribals and Chenchus
Hyderabad: In a new initiative, Health Minister C Damodar Raja Narasimha has asked officials to improve hospitals in areas covered by the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA). This is to provide better healthcare services to the tribal communities, including Chenchus, who live in regions like Bhadrachalam, Eturunagaram, Munnanuru, and other districts.
The Minister held a review meeting at Damodaram Sanjeevaiah Samkshema Bhavan to discuss the medical facilities available for Chenchus and tribals in these ITDA areas. He asked the officials to create an action plan to ensure better treatment for people living in tribal hamlets and Chenchu pentas (villages).
The Health Minister emphasized the need for better coordination between health officials and staff from the Forest and Panchayat Raj departments. This will help in providing more efficient healthcare services to the tribal populations.
During the meeting, the Minister reviewed several proposals from the officials. He directed the Primary Health Centres (PHCs), sub-centres, social health centres, and regional hospitals to reach ITDA areas quickly and shift patients to medical facilities within 30 minutes in case of emergencies. He asked the officials to prepare an action plan to meet this goal.
The Minister also requested officials to submit proposals for setting up new health centres in areas where they are needed. He stressed the importance of ensuring there are enough medicines and basic infrastructure in these centres. Special attention should be given to pregnant women, who should be moved to birth-waiting rooms at least a week before their expected delivery date. Additionally, he suggested that staff in these centres should be able to speak the local tribal languages to better communicate with the patients.
For areas without access to the 108 ambulance service, the Minister proposed the use of bike ambulances as an alternative. He also discussed seasonal diseases in the ITDA regions and asked officials to stay alert due to the recent rains in the State.
Officials informed the Minister that because of their earlier precautionary measures, the number of viral fevers statewide has been lower this year.
