Date:01/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/01/stories/2009010153500400.htm

New Delhi

Sheila orders recruitment of medical personnel

Staff Reporter

Emphasis on overcoming the shortage of staff in hospitals

‘The government is also likely to constitute a Para-Medical Council’
Measures to be initiated to ease the rush of patients in major hospitals

NEW DELHI: Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Wednesday emphasised the need for overcoming the shortage of personnel in hospitals that are at present understaffed and ordered recruitment of medical personnel, including para-medical employees.

Chairing a high-level review meeting of the Delhi Government’s Department of Health and Family Welfare that was also attended by Minister Kiran Walia, the Chief Minister directed that appropriate measures be initiated to ease the rush of patients in major hospitals like LNJP and GTB.

Ms. Dikshit said the Government is also likely to constitute a Para-Medical Council to overcome the shortage of para-medical staff and the Council would impart training in a number of para-medical subjects.

The Chief Minister said child and mother health services should also be made available at the doorstep and demanded that the 195 existing dispensaries be strengthened. “This would also help in containing the number of patients in major hospitals which are flooded by patients coming from nearby States,” she said.

Calling for proper maintenance of the hospitals, Ms. Dikshit also directed that a panel of agencies be prepared to overcome dependence on the Public Works Department that generally causes delay in undertaking repairs. It was also decided that the Medical Superintendents would be authorised to order minor repairs out of a contingency fund which would be placed at their disposal.

The Chief Minister also directed installation of uniform sign boards in the hospitals to overcome confusion caused by lack of availability of proper information to patients who are generally seen moving from end to end looking for various facilities and departments.

The constitution of Hospital Kalyan Samitis is also being considered for better management of hospitals. The Delhi Government is also considering commissioning its own medical general stores in hospitals on the lines of an approved Central Government scheme to facilitate availability of reliable medicines at reasonable price, the meeting was informed.