Ranchi: Chief Minister Hemant Soren has directed the Health Department to leverage modern technology to improve healthcare delivery across Jharkhand. During a high-level review meeting, he called for the preparation of an Ola- and Uber-style ambulance service model and asked officials to submit a detailed proposal within a week.
Raising concerns over recurring complaints about ambulance availability and reports of pregnant women facing difficulties in accessing timely medical assistance, the Chief Minister said emergency transportation services must be made faster, more reliable, and technology-driven. He also proposed the establishment of an AI-powered call center to manage ambulance operations efficiently across the state.
Recruitment Drive and Departmental Restructuring
Soren instructed the department to immediately fill vacant positions for Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) and General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) staff. He also emphasized the need to speed up the recruitment of specialist and general physicians. In addition, the Health Department has been asked to prepare a roadmap for restructuring its directorates to improve administrative efficiency.
Tailored Healthcare Plans for Rural and Urban Areas
Noting that healthcare challenges differ between rural and urban regions, the Chief Minister directed officials to prepare separate action plans for both. He also ordered a comprehensive audit of the state’s referral system to identify gaps and improve patient care.
Central Radiology Hub to Benefit Patients Statewide
The Chief Minister highlighted the newly established Central Radiology Hub at Sadar Hospital Ranchi, describing it as a first-of-its-kind initiative within a government healthcare setup in India. The facility has been linked to all districts in the state, enabling faster access to radiology services and reducing delays in diagnosis.
Blood Bank Digitization and Eye Care Initiative
To strengthen blood management services, Soren directed officials to establish Blood Separation Units and expedite licensing procedures for blood banks. He said the system should be made app-based to ensure transparency and ease of access. Regular blood donation camps will also be organized among government employees and police personnel.
The Chief Minister further instructed authorities to conduct special eye-screening camps across the state for four to five days to improve early detection and treatment of vision-related problems.
Medical Colleges to Get More Seats and Better Facilities
The Health Department has been asked to pursue an increase in undergraduate and postgraduate seats in medical colleges. Soren also sought plans for setting up rehabilitation and therapy centres in all medical institutions.
To ensure timely completion of under-construction medical colleges, he stressed that payments to contractors should not be delayed and that projects must be completed within the stipulated timelines.
Hospital Upgrades and Abuwa Dawakhana Rollout
Under the Hospital Kayakalp initiative, district hospitals across Jharkhand will be modernized and upgraded. Older Sadar hospitals will be made more patient-friendly through the introduction of air-cooling systems and improved infrastructure.
The Chief Minister also directed officials to accelerate the implementation of the government’s flagship Abuwa Dawakhana programme to expand access to primary healthcare services.
Audit of Ayushman Hospitals and Digital Health Records Drive
Soren ordered an immediate audit of all hospitals empanelled under the Ayushman Bharat programme and sought a detailed report from the department.
A statewide campaign will also be launched to boost the creation of Ayushman and ABHA health cards. The initiative will be taken to schools, colleges, and Anganwadi centres to encourage the digitization of citizens’ health records.
The Chief Minister concluded the meeting by emphasizing the importance of cleanliness in healthcare facilities, directing officials to ensure hospitals remain hygienic, well-maintained, and regularly monitored.