Summary
Diagnostic facilities like MRI, CT scan and X-Ray to begin functioning in double shifts in order to cater to more people
Additional health personnel, including technicians and doctors, have already been recruited to streamline the entire process
The Assam government is looking at revamping the operations of state-run medical colleges and hospitals in a bid to give better medical facilities to people and handle the increasing rush of patients.
State health and family welfare minister Keshab Mahanta announced the decision to reform the medical care services at a press conference on November 22.
He said that as a first step towards reforming the system, the various testing facilities -- such as MRI, CT scan and X-Ray -- will begin functioning in double shifts in order to cater to more people.
“The number of patients in the medical colleges are very high, compared to the infrastructure. So, we have decided to have double shifts from today. Earlier, testing for out-patient departments (OPDs) used to happen from 8 am to 3 pm. Now, another shift will start from 3 pm to 10 pm,” the minister added.
The additional workload will require more manpower. Mahanta said additional health personnel, including technicians and doctors, have already been recruited to streamline the entire process across the state.
“This doubling of shifts is for the general patients and all those coming through the OPD section. The testing in the emergency takes place round the clock,” he added.
The minister said the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) will now test at least 60 persons per day for MRI against the earlier 30-35 people, and 1,000 people for X-Ray instead of the current 500.
“Likewise, we have also decided to double the operation theatre (OT) availability timing. Earlier, OTs used to operate in one shift in the day time. Because of this, different departments used to get OTs only once in a week. Now, OTs will function at night too,” Mahanta added.
Mahanta further said that the government has allowed the hospital management societies to hire contractual staff as and when required.
“The contractual staff will be paid salaries exactly on a par with the permanent employees. This will ease the situation of manpower shortage in the hospitals. We hope that by January-February, the government healthcare situation in Assam will improve considerably,” the minister said.
Last updated on 23 Nov 2021
