Jammu, Nov 28: In a significant move, the Government has enhanced the honorarium of the doctors and para-medics engaged under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), by 20 percent. The enhanced honorarium shall be provided from October 1, 2011. This was stated by the Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Sham Lal Sharma, while addressing the doctors at a one day workshop on maternal health care organized by the State Health Society (NRHM), here today.
 Describing health and education as the core sectors, Sham said the Government was making all efforts to improve the delivery of these vital services in the rural and far-flung areas.
 “As a step to encourage the doctors and para-medics to serve in the rural and far-flung areas, the Government has affected substantial increase in the existing incentive structure,” he said.
 Hinting an increase in the allowances to the employees of health and education departments serving in the rural areas at par with those of urban areas, he said that the Government was seriously considering the matter as a step to encourage officials to go to these areas.
 Maintaining that the merit would be the only criteria for promotion and postings in the health department, the Minister cautioned the poor performers and asked them to improve their functioning or face action. He laid stress on improving the work culture in the health institutions and directed for taking appropriate measures in this direction. He asked for strengthening the monitoring system to make everybody accountable.
 “Performance of all the doctors and para-medics engaged under NRHM would be reviewed yearly and those found lacking the set para-meters may lose the next extension,” he asserted.
 On the occasion, the Minister renewed his earlier instructions against the menace of attachment of officials in the department and directed for strict compliance of the same. He directed the concerned to detach all such officials immediately. He, however, emphasized for rationalization of staff as per the work load of a particular institution and utilization of services as per the needs.
 To improve work culture and bring efficiency in the functioning of health institutions in the rural area, Sham directed for constitution of village level health committees with the involvement of elected panchayat members, ASHA workers, FMPHWs under the supervision of concerned BMOs.
 “This would help timely immunization and prevent spread of epidemics and other diseases in the rural areas, he maintained.
 Meanwhile, taking serious note of poor performance and mismanagement in the local hospital, the Minister attached the Block Medical Officer, Marh, Dr. Mohit Kapoor to Gandhi Nagar hospital till further orders.
 Earlier, the Mission Director, National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), Dr. Yashpal Sharma briefed the Minister about the aim and objective of organizing the workshop. He informed that similar workshops were held in all the districts across the State to sensitize doctors and other officers about the operational guidelines of NRHM for its effective implementation on ground.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 28 Nov 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 28 Nov 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 29 Nov 2011 00:00:00 IST