No.522/2021-2022
Aizawl, the 28th February 2022 : Union Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar who is on a two day visit to Mizoram today met the state’s Health Minister Dr. R. Lalthangliana where she was briefed on the status of various Central Sector schemes focussed on healthcare and health infrastructure and the status of the state’s lone medical college. She was also briefed on the various aspects of the overall health scenario in the state including steps being taken to contain the Covid-19 pandemic.

Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar called upon officials to utilise funds received under various schemes as per the laid down norms and approved allocations. She urged officials to visit PHCs, CHCs and Sub Centres frequently to know the issues, challenges and problems at the grassroots level and ensure that public health facilities, especially PHCs operate with required IPHS norms. She assured the state government of all possible support and intervention towards improving health facilities and healthcare in the state. She expressed satisfaction at the way Mizoram is dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic and urged officials to remain vigilant, keeping in mind the high positivity rate. She was informed by officials that despite the still high rates of infection, hospitalization rates are still very low and most cases are under home isolation. The Union Minister also expressed concern on some indicators in the latest NFHS data particularly on prevalence of anaemia, widespread tobacco use and falling routine ANC numbers and the state to take corrective steps as they can be a problem in future, she added.

Health Minister Dr. R Lalthangliana while presenting some of the urgent healthcare needs of the state mentioned the need to revise guidelines for North Eastern states in respect of Central Sector Schemes in the health sector. Among the issues he highlighted, where he sought the Minister’s attention and support are – reconstruction of three District Hospitals in the new Districts to the standard 75 beds in each; upgradation of Cardiology and Nephrology facilities at the state’s biggest hospital – Aizawl Civil Hospital; strengthening of primary healthcare facilities and construction of residential facilities for doctors and healthcare workers; inclusion of Mizoram as a beneficiary state under a central plan to establish 40 mental hospitals across the country and upgradation of the state’s lone medical college Zoram Medical College by way of establishing super speciality disciplines upgrading it to the status of AIIMS-like institutions under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Surakhsa Yojana (PMSSY).

Department officials and ZMC Director made presentations on the general healthcare scenario and the facilities under ZMC respectively.