Health Deptt realizes there is a Dengue outbreak in Delhi

The Health Department convened a meeting on 21 September to discuss the outbreak of Dengue fever in Delhi and to formulate the plan of activities in the state for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the disease. The meeting was chaired by DG cum Secretary Health, Dr K Bhandari and was attended by Medical Superintendent, STNM Hospital, SPO, NVBDCP & SSO IDSP, an IPR press release informs.

ASHA honorarium dues for six months sanctioned

The honorarium due to Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) has been delayed for a while and the same for the two quarters – from April to September 2015 – was sanctioned and approved by the Cabinet in its recent sitting of 22 August. The Cabinet has sanctioned Rs. 119.88 lakhs towards paying the monthly honorarium of ASHAs for the two quarters, it is learnt.
Other proposals of the Health Department sanctioned and approved by the Cabinet on the day were:

Fake birth and death certificates scam unearthed

GANGTOK, 22 Jan: A big scam involving the making of fake birth and death certificates is underway in Sikkim; so much so that the Health Department, under which comes the Registrar of Births and Deaths cell which issues the official certificates, has filed a complaint with the Vigilance Directorate seeking an investigation.
The Vigilance police is presently enquiring into the matter and while no government official has been implicated so far, an arrest has already been made and incriminating evidence recovered. However, as informed, there is an apprehension that there are more people involved in different parts of the state in the making of false birth and death certificates.
In fact fake certificates seized by the police are from various places thereby giving rise to the suspicion that there are several people involved even if they are not necessarily linked to each other.
The scam was noticed by the Health Department some time back. As a matter of procedure, a birth or death certificate is issued at the Primary Health Centre level which has to then be attested by the Registrar, Births & Deaths. The scam was first sniffed when the Registrar, as per procedure and in the process of verifying a certificate, sends it to the concerned PHC.
In several such instances, the PHCs concerned are reported to have responded saying that they had no knowledge of such a certificate having been issued by them. When such cases kept piling up and the number of such dubious certificates ran into the hundreds, the department suspected something amiss and approached the Vigilance police.
Following up on the case, the police recently arrested one Dilli Ram Ruchal of Ranipool who is originally from Kalimpong. In an associated raid at his place, over 20 fake certificates, other documents, along with rubber seals of various authorities were recovered. In fact some of the rubber seals were of some school and panchayat authorities of Darjeeling and Kalimpong as well.
Apart from fake birth certificates he is also suspected of having been involved in making fake school leaving certificates and other such documents. He himself is reported to have made many fake birth certificates; however the police believe him to have been working alone.
Police investigation has been slow as people who have approached the concerned office with fake certificates for attestation have stopped returning to claim their certificates. It is likely that they have been alerted about the police intervention. Many such fake certificates are informed to be still lying at the Registrar’s office.

Health Deptt submits details on available infrastructure to High Court

GANGTOK, 23 Nov: Three months after a public interest litigation was filed in the High Court of Sikkim on the state of health services in Sikkim, the Health Department has managed to compile its report on all health related infrastructure and drugs available for submission to the Court. An affidavit has been submitted by the Additional Advocate General, JB Pradhan, informing the court on the health related infrastructure in the state.
The infrastructure relates to the primary health centres and the sub centres in the four districts. A list of life saving drugs was also forwarded to the court, which, as per the state Health Department, are available in the hospitals and primary health centres.  The division bench of the high court comprising Chief Justice P Kohli and Justice SP Wangdi further directed the Additional AG to submit an affidavit on the availability of life saving drugs.
The court had initially, in August, allowed a period of 6 weeks for the submission of the report. When the PIL came up for hearing on 05 October, the report was not still ready and additional time had been sought.
The court had directed the State respondents to furnish details of the facilities available at the district and sub divisional hospitals, the primary health centres including dispensaries with details of the number of such centres. Furthermore, the High Court had directed that the state furnish details on the availability of life saving drugs with their name/ brand and quantity along with expiry dates.
Several deficiencies in the delivery of health services in the state especially in the implementation of the health schemes such as National Rural Health Mission, the Janani Suraksha Yojana have been alleged in the petition along with the allegation of non availability of essential drugs in most government hospitals and health centres in the districts.

Deptt fails to submit status report in response to PIL on status of health services

HC GRANTS 4 MORE WEEKS FOR SUBMISSION OF REPORT
GANGTOK, 09 Oct: The State government, particularly the Health Department, has been unable to submit its report to the High Court within the given time period regarding the direction of the court to furnish various details concerning the status of the health sector services in the State.
The public interest litigation, filed by Rinzing Chewang Kazi, came up for hearing on 05 October during which the state counsel, Karma Thinlay, sought more time in order to file the complete report. Additional time of 4 weeks was granted by the High Court.
Earlier, on 24 August the division bench of the High Court had sought various details from the state respondents and passed a direction that all life saving drugs, which were not available at the health centres, be made available within 2 weeks. The Court had also directed the state respondents to furnish details of the facilities available at the district and sub divisional hospitals, the primary health centres including dispensaries with details of the number of such centres.
Furthermore the High Court had directed that the state furnish details on the availability of life saving drugs with their name / brand and quantity along with expiry dates and for which the respondents had been allowed a time period of 6 weeks.
Health Department officials, when approached, refused to comment on the issues raised and only confined themselves to the statement that the department was working on the report.
Several deficiencies in the delivery of health services in the state especially in the implementation of the health schemes such as National Rural Health Mission, the Janani Suraksha Yojana had been pointed out in the petition along with the allegation of non availability of essential drugs in most government hospitals and health centres in the districts.

Reconstructive Surgery Camp held for leprosy patients

GANGTOK, 07 Oct: The NLEP wing [National Leprosy Eradication Programme] of Health Department organised a two-day Reconstructive Surgery Camp [RCS] for patients with deformities due to leprosy at STNM hospital on 04 and 05 October.
A press release informs that plastic surgeon from the Leprosy Mission Hospital, Kolkata, Dr Jerry Joshua operated on 06 patients from different parts of Sikkim.
Others present in the camp were orthopaedic surgeon, Dr Pemba Bhutia [Chief Consultant], Dr Bishnu Sakya, Dr Tashi Hoeser and anaesthesiologists, Dr PK Rai, Dr Gyamsto, Dr Kinga Bhutia, Dr Pankaj Pradhan, Dr Diki Doma [physiotherapist], OT staff headed by staff nurse, Laden Bhutia, NLEP staff, Dr Anusha Lama [DMS/DLO] and Dr T Doma [PO].
Dr Diki will assist the patients post operatively in their recovery, the release mentions. Since deformities in leprosy are the main reason for stigma and discrimination, reconstructive surgery aims to restore function and form and plays an important role in the rehabilitation process, the release adds.
RCS will help in regaining the status of the leprosy affected in the public mind thereby reducing stigma of the disease. Similar camps will be organised in future for remaining patients with deformities, the release adds.

Ensure availability of lifesaving drugs at6 all health centres within 2 weeks, HC directs State Govt

GOVT TO ALSO SUBMIT DETAILS ON LIFESAVING DRUGS IN 6 WEEKS
GANGTOK, 26 Aug: Apart from having issued notices to the state and union government respondents on the charges of inefficient and deficient health care services in the state and in the implementation of the National Rural Health Mission among other schemes the High Court of Sikkim has also issued an interim direction.
The Division Bench of the high court comprising Chief Justice P Kohli and Justice SP Wangdi has directed that “…the state shall ensure availability of life saving drugs in all hospitals/ health centres within a period of 2 weeks, if not already available.”  This direction is on the charge made in the Public Interest Litigation that live saving drugs including blood units and oxygen are often unavailable at the health centres which is required as under the guidelines of the NRHM.
On the other hand the division bench of the high court has also found, from the averments made in the petition, that various government sponsored schemes, namely the NRHM, Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) and other schemes have not been implemented in the right spirit. The court also took note of the charge of the non-availability of life saving drugs at most of the government hospitals and health centres both at the district and sub divisional level. On this matter the court has directed the state respondents to furnish details of the facilities available at the district and sub divisional hospitals, the primary health centres including dispensaries with details of the number of such centres.
Furthermore the High Court has directed that the state furnish details on the availability of life saving drugs with their name / brand and quantity along with expiry dates and for which the respondents have been allowed a time period of 6 weeks.
Receiving notice on behalf of the state respondents was Additional Advocate General, JB Pradhan; for the Ministry of Health was present Advocate, Central Government, Karma Thinlay and appearing for the petitioner, Rinzing Chewang Kazi was Advocate, Dr. Doma Bhutia.

PIL filed against condition of healthcare facilities in the State

INADEQUATE STAFF, MEDICINE AND VIOLATION OF NRHM GUIDELINES AMONGST ALLEGATIONS

GANGTOK, 24 Aug: Healthcare and health services in the state have always been contentious issues plagued with complaints about unavailability of basic drugs or even medical personnel. However the ground situation in the rural and remote areas of Sikkim has not always been accurately or adequately reported in the press.
Now, Healthcare in Sikkim is all set to receive its share of attention and effort with a Public Interest Litigation filed in the High Court today by a resident of Chungthang, Rinzing Chewang and taken up by counsel Dr. Doma Bhutia of the Human Rights Law Network, Sikkim.
The petition came up for hearing today in which some serious allegations over inadequate and deplorable conditions of health centres have been made. Unavailability of basic life-saving drugs, inadequate conditions of the health centres, inadequacy and frequent unavailability of health staff at the centres, violation of NRHM guidelines and other schemes and norms including the tendency of doctors to prescribe branded drugs over generic drugs apart from others have been made.
The Division bench of the High Court comprising Chief Justice P Kohli and Justice SP Wangdi have issued a notice and also issued a direction that life saving drugs, which are not available at the health centers at present, be made available soon. Among the respondents are the state government and the Union Health Ministry.
The petition alleges serious deficiencies in the implementation of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) and its umbrella schemes such as the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) and the Reproductive Child Health scheme. Among the deviations in the implementation of NRHM, as alleged is the non compliance to the provision of a health centre required to be operational 24 hours a day and also the availability of 24 hour-a-day emergency services.
It is also informed that as per the account of the general public, at most times medical staff are not available in the health centres in the rural areas, which goes against the basic stipulations of the guidelines. In addition to this it is alleged that life saving and essential drugs especially blood and oxygen are not often available.
As a case in example, the plight of a woman of Lachen has been highlighted whose child reportedly died in her womb due to lack of oxygen at the health centre. The PIL in fact highlights that the plight of rural women, especially expecting mothers, in terms of access to health care is particularly sad.
The petition also highlights the finding of the 5th Common Review Mission Report which is a report compiled on the status of NRHM in Sikkim by a team of central doctors last November from their visits in North and East districts. It is informed that several lacunae in the implementation of NRHM have been highlighted in this report.
This includes the finding that patients are often referred to Gangtok, under small doubts, for minor tests which is a burden for the rural folk especially women. The report also states that doctors in the North district hospital may largely be prescribing branded drugs as opposed to generic drugs which are cheaper.
The petition also seeks that the health sub centres at Lachen and Lachung be upgraded and made fully functional; besides it is also sought that trafficked women in the short-stay homes and rape victims who become pregnant also be included in the Janani Suraksha Yojana.

Training on Strengthening and Updating Professional Skills in Disability Rehabilitation begins

ANUSHA GURUNG
GANGTOK, 12 Mar:  Five-day training on Strengthening and Updating Professional Skills in the Field of Disability Rehabilitation began today at the Forest Secretariat conference hall. The training is being organized by Health Care, Human Services and Family Welfare Department and is sponsored by National Institute of Mentally Handicapped [NIHM], Secunderabad.
General secretary, Spastics Society of Sikkim, BP Dhakal in his address, said that instead of ignoring the differently abled we should take special care of them.  Government of Sikkim has established a disability cell which is formed for the implementation of Laws related to the differently abled, he mentioned.
Faculty in special education [NIHM], Usha Grover in her address said that we should first start treating the disabled like human beings. The objective of this programme is to sensitize the society towards disability, the role of the society towards the disabled and equal treatment of the disabled, she mentioned.
“We will soon be talking to the regular teachers as well as SSA teachers about inclusion like how people with disabilities are enrolled in the classroom from day one. We will also talk about interdisciplinary approach to deal with the disabled.”, said Ms Grover.
Lecturer in clinical psychology, Mr Krishna said that mental retardation is not a tragedy nor a punishment. In fact, persons with mental retardation will have some special qualities which a normal person does not have, he added. He further highlighted the major causes of disability and positive points of a disabled person.
“Don’t curse the roses because it has thorns, instead be happy that thorns have roses”, Mr Krishna said on looking at disabilities positively.
Secretary Health Department, Dr K Bhandari who was present as chief guest said that the main objective of this programme is to empower people with necessary information and knowledge about our duties and rights of persons with disabilities as envisaged in Persons With Disabilities [PWD] rules 2001, Right to Education Act 2011, and the United Nations Convention on Right of Persons with Disability [UNCRPD] 2008. Mentioning that more than 50% of  disabilities are preventable he said that the NRHM programme of the department is working relentlessly to cover all pregnant mothers to ensure safe delivery and prevent birth related disabilities, like mental retardation, multiple disabilities, hearing and speech impairment and visual impairment.
The First Referral Units [FRU] are established in three districts of Sikkim to prevent intra -partum and neonatal causes of disabilities, he informed.  The department of HC, HS and FW is functioning with sincerity and sensitivity to implement section 25 of the PWD Act 1995 by constituting district-level disability screening boards for all the four districts and the state level disability screening board at STNM hospital which are responsible for conducting periodic disability screening by the experts in this field in collaboration with the department of Social Justice, Empowerment and Welfare to issue disability certificates, informed Dr Bhandari .
The Secretary further mentioned that the Government of Sikkim has constituted a Disability Cell under the Health department headed by a Disability Consultant who is assisted by Disability Nodal Officer and the supporting staff.

State Health Dept enlists its achievements in the last 16 years

SAGAR CHHETTRI
GANGTOK, 16 Feb: The Department of Health Care, Human Services & Family Welfare [HCHSFW] highlighted on the ongoing National and State government programmes and schemes and achievements of the State in the health sector in the last 16 years during a press meet held here today.
The press meet was addressed by the HCHSFW Secretary, Dr Kumar Bhandari, IPR Secretary, KS Topgay and HCHSFW Spokesperson, Dr Tshering Ethenpa.
During the press meet, Dr Ethenpa gave a detailed presentation on the programmes, schemes and achievements of the department. He thoroughly explained about the national programmes running in the state like National Rural Health Mission, Sikkim State AIDS Control Programme, National Mental Health Programme and etc. He also explained about the state government programmes like Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Annual and Total Health Check-up for Healthy Sikkim [CATCH] programme, Hepatitis-B vaccination programme, Mukhya Mantri Sishu Suraksha Avum Sutkeri Sahayog Yojana and Accredited Social Health Activists [ASHA] Incentives Scheme and etc.
While presenting the list of achievements of the state in the last 16 years [1994-95 to 2010-11], Dr Ethenpa informed that Sikkim has been declared as a Cretin Free State since 2003-04 by the Government of India and Sikkim is the first state to launch the Hepatitis-B vaccination programme on 14 August 2001. He further informed that the state recorded a rise in civil registration of births from 20.8% to 87% and civil registration of deaths from 7.85% to 97%.
Sikkim was the recipient of the 4th JRD Tata Memorial Award 2008 for outstanding performance in important health indicators and was also the first state to ban the sale of Gutka and Smoking in public places and also banned the sale of non-iodized salt to prevent iodine deficiency disorders. It was informed that the state has also waived all charges on medical investigation for senior citizens of 65 years of age and above.
Likewise, the state recorded a drop in Infant Mortality Rate from 49 to 30, Crude Death Rate from 6.9 to 5.6, Crude Birth Rate also went down from 24.6 to 17.8 and Total Fertility Rate from 3.5 to 2.02. The rate of Goiter [Iodine Deficiency Disorder] has also gone down from 54.03 to 13.37 and Cretinism to nil from 3.46. The presentation also included the increase in manpower, up-gradation and addition of the medical infrastructure and facilities across the state.
It was informed that so far 436 BPL patients have benefitted under the State Illness Assistance Fund for treatment outside the state and around 350 patients have benefitted under the Mukhya Mantri Jeevan Raksha Kosh Scheme for treatment outside the state. Likewise, 160 patients were provided with the latest Behind-The-Ear hearing aids. Sikkim is also the first state to introduce Measles, Mumps and Rubella [MMR] vaccination programme from the State Plan Budget and also the first state to introduce CATCH programme in the country.
The state has also formulated the State Health and Population Policy and increased the health budget from Rs 14.64 crore to Rs 246.71 crore.

Health Dept institutes 5-member committee to look into Lingdok food poisoning incident

GANGTOK, 06 Jan: A five-member committee has been constituted by the Health Care, Health Services & Family Welfare Department to look into all aspects of the food poisoning incident including the epidemiological aspect that brought down 82 people of Lingdok busty with suspected food poisoning on 01 January, informed Secretary, HC, HS&FW Department, Dr. K Bhandari while addressing a press conference today.
The Committee has Dr. V Singhi [Director II] as the chairman, while the other four members are Dr. IL Sharma [senior Additional Director], Dr. Yeli Doma [Joint Director], BB Rai [Food Inspector] and Pema Uden [Chief Consultant Micro-Biologist].

Awareness and health check-up on vector-borne diseases held at Wok

NAMCHI, 21 Oct [IPR]: An awareness programme on Vector Borne Diseases was organized by the Health Department, South at Wok, Primary Health Sub Centre, which comes under Poklok-Kamrang constituency, also the home constituency of the Chief Minister, Pawan Chamling, yesterday.

Health workers tour affected areas, reach counsel and medicines

GANGTOK, 30 Sept: The Health Department today released details of the tasks undertaken since the 18 Sept earthquake.
According to a press release forwarded by the IRP Department, NDMRF, New Delhi, visited the relief camp at Merung where 16 households were taking shelter. 26 patients were examined and 1 injury case was treated at STNM Hospital while other systematic diseases were reported with no cases of diarrhea. “IEC was given and 4000 halogen tablets distributed”.