SILCHAR, Jan 10 - Health Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said that to put an end to the private practices by doctors of government medical colleges across the State, the government is planning to enhance salaries of the doctors and medical staff working in the medical colleges at par with the salary structure of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi.
Addressing a meeting after inaugurating the new 200-bed Mother and Child Health Care Unit at Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMCH), Sarma said, �We cannot continue to tolerate doctors of government hospitals skip their duties and dedicate time for private hospitals. We must put an end to such practices within next two years for which a scheme to give motivation to the doctors is being designed.�
He also informed that a committee of leading citizens of Silchar will be formed which will make routine visits to SMCH and make recommendations based on their observations to usher in better treatment so that SMCH could be made the best hospital in the nation.
Further, the Health minister said that mere inauguration of buildings does not ensure better treatment if doctors and medical staff lack the attitude to serve the patients with dedication and commitment. Expressing concern over the 25 per cent Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) at SMCH, Dr Sarma said that efforts must be made to bring down the rate to at least 10 per cent in the next two years. In his words, Assam is plagued by sloppy work culture which is tarnishing the image of the State in terms of medical services. However, he was quick to make it clear that to improve the scenario, government will not hesitate to take tough decisions.
Dr Sarma also mentioned that the government has introduced a flagship health scheme titled �Atal Amrit Yojna.�
The Health minister reminded the people of Barak Valley the commitment of the State government towards fulfilling its promises made before the 2016 elections saying that there is a positive response towards setting up of a dental college at Silchar.
