SMOs to monitor screening and strengthening of health schemes

Chandigarh: Punjab health minister Dr Balbir Singh on Tuesday assigned newly promoted senior medical officers (SMOs) the responsibility of monitoring the non-communicable diseases screening programme for all individuals above 30 years of age for hypertension, diabetes and common cancers.He also called for rigorous supervision of case detection and treatment adherence under the TB Mukt Abhiyan 100-day campaign.
The minister inaugurated a comprehensive two-day capacity building training programme for the newly promoted SMOs, emphasising their pivotal role in strengthening public health delivery at the district and block levels.Dr Balbir Singh said the training was designed to enhance their administrative, managerial and programme implementation capacities so that they could discharge their new responsibilities with confidence and efficiency.He stressed that the success of the state's flagship health initiatives depended largely on the leadership, supervision and commitment of officers at the field level.The minister directed the SMOs to ensure effective implementation of key health schemes, including the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana, and to closely monitor progress by ensuring full beneficiary enrolment and timely generation of health cards.He said the officers could utilise available funds under the scheme for localised healthcare upgrades in their respective areas, as per guidelines.Dr Balbir Singh also instructed the SMOs to ensure an uninterrupted supply of medicines and diagnostic services at the Aam Aadmi Clinics and to supervise the operationalisation of new facilities.He asked them to strengthen de-addiction services and closely monitor Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment clinics under the Yudh Nashian Virudh initiative.Further, the minister underscored the importance of the free medicines initiative, directing that essential drugs remain available at all times and transparent stock management systems be maintained to prevent shortages.MSID:: 128751790 413 |