HP seeks to be best in NRHM work

In the past two years,814 doctors and 883 nurses have been appointed to meet the shortage of the doctors in the far-flung areas of the state.

“Special incentives have been taken for doctors serving in tribal and remote areas as they get Rs 3,000 to 9,000 per month under NHRM. This is likely to be increased and specialists on appointment will get a salary of Rs 75,000 to Rs 98,000 per month,” said Dhumal.

He added that more than 80 per cent free institutional deliveries have been performed in government health institutions. The figure was 52 per cent till three years ago.

The free ambulance seva — Atal Sawathya Seva Yojana — has helped shift 47,822 patients to hospitals. As many as 272 deliveries have taken place in ambulances,which are equipped with necessary emergency features,said the chief minister.

Health Minister Rajeev Bindal said Rs 145 crore were being spent under NHRM in the state.

The government had also introduced “Smart Card” service to provide health cover to BPL families in the state.

Meanwhile,Dhumal asked health officials to include cases of snake bites in the emergency service — more than two dozen people have recently died due to snake bites in the lower Himachal Pradesh region in the last three months.