13 April 2010
Jaipur, India
Vice-President Mohammed Hamid Ansari presenting the NRHM award to state health minister A A Khan in New Delhi on MondayRajasthan was adjudged the best–performing state in the ‘high focus states category’ to implement the National Rural Health Mission (NHRM), India’s flagship rural health scheme.
The award was given on the fifth anniversary of NHRM on Monday. While Assam was adjudged best among the northeastern states, Tamil Nadu claimed the award in the ‘other states’ category. Mizoram, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana were placed second in their respective categories.
The award was received by the state health minister A A Khan and the minister of state Rajkumar Sharma from Vice–President Hamid Ansari. Health secretary G S Sandhu was also present on the occasion.
After the ceremony, Khan said the state has made a giant leap in the health sector specially in the area of institutional delivery taking the figures from 28% in 2005–06 to 70% in 2009–10.
According to officials, about 29.29 lakh BPL patients have benefited from the chief minister’s Jeevan Raksha Kosh in the state at an amount of Rs 31 crore.
“Not only have the medical facilities reach far flung villages but the establishment of the emergency ambulance service of 108 has also brought about revolutionary changes in the health sector. Projects worth Rs 250 crore has been sanctioned to strengthen the health infrastructure in the state,” officials said.
Between 2005–10, about 15.94 lakh vasectomies, 44.90 lakh institutional deliveries, vaccination of 77.90 lakh children and maternity benefits to 29.84 lakh women have been given in the state. The state has already utilised 95% of the amount given under the scheme by the Centre for 2009–10, this includes recruitment of 12,038 nurses. It has also recruited 1,503 ayurveda doctors and compounders, 80 specialists and 2,106 contract staffers.
The minister added that for 2010–11, the state has earmarked Rs 1,200 crore. As part of the state health budget this year, all primary health centres would be renovated. Even those in far–flung areas will get medical facilities through 150 Rajiv Gandhi Gramin Medical Units which are being set up.
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