We will ensure doctors get a safe work environment: JP Nadda

What is the status of programmes and Acts such as National Health Assurance Mission and Clinical Establishment Bill?

The National Council for Clinical Establishments has approved minimum standards for different levels of hospitals. These standards provide that the hospitals should have adequate drugs, medical devices and consumables commensurate with the scope of services and number of beds. However, the Act has not been adopted by all states and we have been making efforts to persuade them to adopt and implement the Act to ensure that proper regulation is possible.

Corruption in the medical sector is a big worry. What has the government done to curb the back door entry of students into medical colleges?

The National Eligibility and Entrance Test (NEET) has ensured that only the most meritorious students vie for the medical seats available in the country. To further curb back door entry of students into private colleges, NEET regulations have been amended recently to make common counselling mandatory for all medical seats. All state governments are required to designate a common counselling authority for this purpose. This step will go a long way towards eliminating back door entry.

The Mental Healthcare Bill has promised free care to people below the BPL line. But lack of psychiatric doctors poses a challenge. Your thoughts?

We are focusing on increasing psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, psychiatric nurses and psychiatric social workers in the country. Mental health hospitals, government hospitals and government medical colleges are being provided funds for development of Centres of Excellence in mental health. The Ministry of Health has provided funds to the tune of Rs 33 crore per centre. Along with this, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has supported 39 departments in Government Medical Colleges for creating post graduate seats in all four specialities, upgradation of 88 psychiatric wings of medical colleges, and general hospitals and 29 state mental hospitals.

Why is there a delay in completion of AIIMS-like institutions across India?

It is taking us time to choose the right faculty that will actually make the completed building into an 'AIIMS'. Since we are all about governance and following the right hiring process, it is taking time. But you should know, Rome was built, but not in a day.

Corruption in medical institutions is a big worry. What is the Union Health Ministry doing in this regard?

We have drafted a bill called National Medical Commission, and discussion is ongoing. Very soon, we will be bringing it to the cabinet and we will bring it to the Parliament. At this point, these are all autonomous bodies and it is they who regulate and we work accordingly. But there are changes in the National Medical Commission, so they will take care of all these things.

Finally, there has been a rise in doctors going on strike because of violence. How do you plan to tackle the problem?

This is a very serious issue. I have written to chief ministers and health ministers of the states to ensure that a safe working environment is provided to the doctors and the medical staff.