Centre plans mobile air dispensary service for Northeast

Imphal, Oct 24 (PTI) In a first-of-its-kind service, the Centre plans to launch a mobile air dispensary for the Northeast, with a helicopter fitted with medical equipment and doctors on board, flying in remote areas for the benefit of people. Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Jitendra Singh said the mobile air dispensary with a doctor, necessary equipment, and medicines would fly to remote and far-flung areas regularly, especially where patients find it difficult to reach a doctor and basic health center.

The experiment, possibly the first of its kind in the country, can also be replicated in other hill states and remote areas with poor connectivity like Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh reporters here.
On the first day of his two-day visit to Manipur, Singh had a review meeting with the state administration and appreciated Governor Najma Heptulla for endorsing this idea by citing the example of the Royal Flying Service of Australia, popularly known as Flying Doctors, which is meant to provide aid and primary health care service in rural and remote areas Give Sunlight.

According to an official release, the Minister said this idea has already been discussed with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and MoS Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha, who has indicated the feasibility of such a scheme. Singh said he has already held discussions with some of the leading helicopter companies in the country. He said the DoNER Ministry, North Eastern Council, and the Government of Manipur will discuss the issue with Union Ministry of Health officials to work out the modalities.

Singh also discussed issues related to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement to set up a sports university in Manipur and sought an expeditious decision to set up the institute. This will help professionally groom the Northeastern youth, he said. Singh said the central government gives high priority to the northeastern states. Therefore, the state governments are responsible for extending full cooperation in implementing the central schemes. He said the DoNER Ministry might develop a methodology to monitor and point out the state governments’ lapses in implementing the central schemes. PTI ACB KIS

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