PATNA: Concerned over growing road accidents and rising percentage of mortality across the state, state health minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey on Sunday announced the government would set-up mobile trauma centres along national and state highways soon.
The health minister was speaking after inaugurating “Trauma Symposium 2011” here, organized by the Bihar branch of Central Zone of Indian Orthopaedic Association (CZIOA).
“Bihar government is concerned at the rising mortality rates in road accidents and we are working to increase the chances of saving lives. Currently, six trauma centres are in the final phase of being set up in the state. They will be dedicated to the people soon,” Choubey informed 300 and odd surgeons who have come as delegates from across the country to participate in the symposium.
The health minister also announced that the government would open trauma centres at primary health centres. “We have to make sure that better orthopaedic treatment reaches every person in the state. To achieve this objective, trauma centres are needed in remotest parts of the state,” he said.
“The government plans to pursue this objective in parallel with improving existing machinery to improve orthopaedic treatment system further,” the minister said.
The day-long symposium witnessed exchange of ideas, and sharing of knowledge and experience among reputed orthopaedic surgeons. More than 50 stalls of artificial limbs and medicines were put up by different companies.
Proudly elaborating the improvement in medicare in Bihar, Choubey told the delegates: “The government’s aim is not only to make available quality medicare facilities but also to keep pace with rapid technological developments in the field of medicine to provide medical facilities of the highest order.”
The minister also spoke about the success of various ambitious schemes of his department. “About 32 lakh patients were treated under a month-long campaign, “Gram Swasthya Chetna Yatra”. Health camps were organised at 10,500 places in 38 districts under this scheme,” he added.
Principal secretary, health, Bihar, Amarjeet Sinha said the government has prepared a “Nayee Peedhi Swasth Guarantee Karyakram” programme, wherein comprehensive health check-up of young boys and girls would be done and health cards given to them. The scheme would cover boys below 14 years of age and girls below 18 years of age.
Vice-chancellor, LNMU University, Darbhanga, S P Singh, who was the guest of honour, also underlined the need of increasing the network of trauma centres in the state.
Head of orthopaedic department, Patna Medical College and Hospital, Dr Arjun Singh, felicitated the guests on the occasion. A vote of thanks was proposed by the CZIOA organizing secretary, Dr Amulya Kumar Singh.