QUESTION HOUR, DAY-4

Health infrastructure bottlenecks and Scheduled Tribe seats in Assembly explained

GANGTOK, 26 June [IPR]: During the question hour today at the Sikkim Legislative Assembly, Minister for Health Care, Human Services and Family Welfare Department, AK Ghatani, said that the State Government has essential drugs list and approved Drug Schedule. The procurement of drugs is done through Central Health Stores Organisation, Tadong and distributed as per approved criteria and norms and as per indenting from various institutions, viz. STNM Hospital, District Hospitals, PHCs and PHSCs. He further said that the drugs are not supplied by the Ministry of Health, Government of India, to the State of Sikkim under National Health Mission. However, Government of India approves funds for procurement of essential drugs under National Health Mission of State.

The Minister further answering to question raised by another member of the House informed that the total due of various hospitals under cashless treatment outside Sikkim is Rs. 155.72 lakhs. While citing the reasons for discontinuing the Cashless Scheme he informed the House that there was delay in transferring funds by various departments for availing the cashless treatment facility. During the entire implementation period, only 32 departments had transferred the fund, whereas, more than 20 departments did not transfer the funds at all, due to which the department could not implement the Scheme fully as desired by the State Government. Further, the departments which had not transferred funds to Health Department were sending proposals for medical advances etc as in the past. This dual system of medical facilities created a lot of confusion inviting strong objections from the Pay and Accounts Office.

The Minister Health further replying to question by a member of the house informed that the department is fully aware about the shortage of Doctors at various levels and institutions. Accordingly, a proposal was mooted to create 102 posts of General Duty Medical Officers (GDMOs) against which Government approval has been obtained for 48 GDMO posts. The process of recruitment of GDMOs against 48 newly created post, 13 vacant post and 3 posts for IRB (total 64) was in advanced stage for appointment, delayed because of case pending at High Court.

Similarly, recruitment of 31 staff nurses was initiated by the Department which has been held up due to a Court Litigation.

To meet shortage of Medical Officers, doctors are being appointed on contractual basis under NRHM, he added. He pointed out that since Sikkim was a hilly state with scattered population at an average of 75 persons per sq Km, as per the new guidelines of Government of India under “Time to Care” initiative the Department is trying to justify the need to establish new PHSCs in backward rural areas.

Tulsi Devi Rai, Minister for Social Justice, Empowerment and Welfare Department, while replying to questions raised by a member of the House said that the Limboo and Tamang communities were declared Scheduled Tribes in 2003. The State Government has been requesting the Government of India ever since then to reserve seats in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly through a Central Legislation without disturbing the 12 seats reserved for the Bhutia and Lepcha Communities. This issue was again raised by the Chief Minister with the Prime Minister during their meeting on 09 June, 2014 by way of submission of a written memorandum. The efforts made by the State Government have been sincere, honest and transparent with all efforts made so far by the State Government including the most recent request made to the Prime Minister in the public domain.