Bihar: Health Minister to get stricter on attendance at PHCs

The Bihar health minister Tej Pratap is reported to be closely monitoring attendance of doctors at primary health centres in the state.

In a recent meeting with the civil surgeons, the minister has stressed on them ensuring complete attendance, or presence of doctors under their respective jurisdictions. He also emphasised on equipping the primary health centres with proper infrastructure like landline connections.

As reported by TOI, State Health Society of Bihar officials will make random calls to check presence of doctors at PHCs. Block health managers of PHCs would be held accountable if the hospitals are not equipped with landline connection. If anybody is found absent from duty, he/she would end up losing job," the minister said.

As further implied by TOI, the minister has also instructed during the meeting that no illegal practice or unlicensed ultra sound centres should be conducting sex determination. He emphasized a strong implementation on ban of sex determination, and closure of such unlicensed centres.

Officials have been asked to make it sure that the health programmes reach the villages. The minister will once again review implementation of health programmes after two months.Pratap expressed concern over role of middlemen in health progammes."All such persons should be identified and action must be taken against them," the minister told the officials.

He said providing basic amenities to patients and improving quality of health services were the top priorities of the government.