KAMBA, Nov 25: Chief Minister Pema Khandu today said that about Rs 500 crore has been utilized to develop all the district hospitals of the state with infrastructure, manpower and equipment. He said that most of the general (district) hospitals today have been "facelifted" and few are under process.
Reiterating that health is a primary sector of priority for the state government, Khandu said the COVID 19 came as an eye opening pandemic for the government.
“The pandemic made us realize that how ill equipped we were in the health sector. Reviewing health infrastructure and services during the pandemic, we were shocked by its condition. Our government then decided with commitment to revive and recondition our health delivery system that could cope with any kind of emergency,” he said.
The Bakin Pertin General Hospital, Pasighat, one of the oldest and with most number of footfall, is being developed into a 300-bed hospital, Khandu informed.
“Our efforts are bearing results. We have reduced the infant mortality rate to 10% and reduced the human resources gap in health sector from 33% to 6%. Also institutional delivery has increased manifold,” he revealed.
Khandu informed in the next phase the state government would be facelifting the CHCs across the state.
The Chief Minister was speaking as he dedicated the Outdoor Patient Department (OPD) Block of the Community Health Centre (CHC), Kamba here in West Siang district to the people in presence of local legislator Nyamar Karbak. Also present were MLAs Kento Jini and  Gokar Basar.
While congratulating the people, Khandu appreciated Karbak for his efforts to develop the CHC by acquiring funds for the same through various means including SIDF and MLA LAD since 2018.
On being informed of the plans for further extension of the CHC, the Chief Minister assured support of the state government in terms of making funds available.
He said that the state government has recently announced several incentives for the state government employees including doctors.
“Besides getting enhanced DA/DR and HRA at par with central government employees, government doctors will also be provided Non Practicing Allowance (NPA). It is up to individual doctors whether they want to avail NPA or not,” he informed.
Khandu said that proposal has also been submitted to the central government for upgrading the ANM school at Aalo to a BSc Nursing College.
“As soon as it is approved, we will start the upgradation work,” he assured.
Later, Khandu visited the Kargu Gamgi (Indigenous prayer centre) at Kamba where he offered prayers to Almighty Donyi Polo and other indigenous tribal deities. 
He joined the prayers offered by the Nyibus for eternal peace of Late Jambey Tashi. The indigenous faith believers present him a collection of indigenous prayers and chants.
To a request, the Chief Minister considered himself lucky to be able to contribute to the prayer center by ensuring funds for a proper prayer hall building and a boundary wall around it.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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