Chandigarh: Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini on Tuesday announced special incentives for doctors, support staff and Ayushman Mitras in govt hospitals that record higher patient footfall, as part of a major push to strengthen public healthcare services across the state.Chairing a review meeting of the health department at the Haryana civil secretariat, the chief minister said govt hospitals must proactively encourage beneficiaries of the Ayushman Bharat and Chirayu schemes to seek treatment in public institutions. He approved a health department proposal to use funds received under these schemes for staff incentives, hospital upgrades, sanitation work and support for Ayushman Mitras.During the meet, Saini directed officials to expand the number of treatment packages available under the Ayushman scheme in govt hospitals. He also announced that treatment for diabetic retinopathy would be provided free of cost in govt hospitals. The treatment, now possible through injections, will be included in the scheme’s hospital package, with the government bearing the cost. The chief minister also ordered immediate filling of vacant posts of doctors, radiologists and cardiologists. Alongside regular recruitment, he directed the department to create an open recruitment mechanism, allowing specialists to offer services at government hospitals for locations and durations of their choice. He said retired radiologists could also be engaged at hospitals near their residences, based on National Medical Commission records, with age-limit relaxation where needed.Saini said specialist doctors from private hospitals or private practice could be allowed to perform operations in govt hospitals, with payment made on a daily or per-operation basis. “Government doctors handling more patients will also receive incentives. All district hospitals, sub-divisional hospitals, CHCs, PHCs and sub-centres must be brought on a unified online platform for real-time monitoring. From patient registration and diagnostic tests to consultation and medicine dispensing, every service must be digitally recorded,” the CM said.The chief minister set a November 1 deadline for opening Amrit Pharmacies in all government hospitals and directed CMsGGAs to monitor hospital functioning and suggest improvements.
