Eatala orders rationalisation of doctors, staff in all district PHCs

Hyderabad: Health Minister Eatala Rajender has directed his department officials to take up rationalisation of doctors and medical staff in Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in all districts. Public should get the feeling that a doctor is available for duty every day in each PHC, he stressed.

Eatala wanted equal distribution of work among the PHC staff. He clarified that his government would not reduce the existing PHCs or establish new ones and the rationalisation would only focus on distribution of existing staff. He warned of serious action against those found to be negligent in discharging duties in PHCs.

Rajender was addressing senior officials and DMHOs of all districts in the two-day review meeting of the Health department held on Tuesday and Wednesday. He said that these reviews are not for namesake but his focus was on results and everyone in the Health department should strive to do their best and offer good healthcare to the public.

Further, the minister expressed his concern over increase of mental illness issues in the State. In the pilot project taken up in four districts, it was observed that nearly 1,700 patients were suffering from mental illness related health problems. The number of patients were 657 in Vikarabad, 504 in Hyderabad, 299 in Siddipet and 237 in Karimnagar.

Treatment is being extended to them, he said, adding that a report has been sought from senior doctors on how to face the situation as this problem is bound to increase in view of the present lifestyle, he stated. Palliative care centres in all districts

Eatala Rajender mentioned that Palliative care centres would be established in all districts by April. He said that those suffering serious illnesses like cancer need specialised medical and nursing care. Adilabad, Khammam, Siddipet, Jangaon, Warangal, Yadadri, Ranga Reddy, Mahabubnagar districts have these centres, he said.

Elderly care

The other initiative of the department is ensuring good health care of senior citizens. For this, one day in a week (Thursday) has been allotted in health sub-centres to conduct tests for senior citizens. Rajender directed officials to distribute eyeglasses to all those who underwent eye-screening tests under Kanti Velugu scheme.