Experts mull ways of taking forward Gujarat's health agenda

We need to take a quantum jump to achieve health goals of the state, said chief minister Narendra Modi while speaking at a one-day meet organised in the capital to discuss the future course of action for the state in the health sector.

The health department had organised ‘Healthy Gujarat — Agenda for Action’, a one-day programme attended by experts working in the field of health, government officials and private medical practitioners.

Modi also said that a collective and holistic approach needs to be taken to tackle health issues of the state. “Five years later we will be celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

Let us take a pledge to look at hygiene not only in urban beautification terms, but in terms of health of the state,” said Modi.

PK Taneja, commissioner, health, said that the state made considerable strides in reducing maternal and infant mortality. “But the tribal regions of the state remain a matter of concern. If the maternal and infant mortality rates in these high-priority regions are tackled we will be able to reach planned goals,” said Taneja.

Dr Manisha Malhotra, deputy commissioner, ministry of health and family welfare, GoI said that Gujarat had initiated several laudable schemes. “Chiranjeevi scheme is a good scheme but quality issues remain. Also, we need to concentrate on neo-natal deaths and their reasons. Are they happening at hospitals and home due to lack of services? Such questions need to be answered first,” said Malhotra.