The Consultative
Committee of Parliament attached to Ministry of Health and Family
Welfare met in Lakshadweep on 22-23 of January, 2003 to deliberate
on various emerging challenges in the health sector and the role
of people’s representatives. Earlier the Committee also visited
Amritha Institute of Medical Sciences at Cochin and the Community
Health Centre at Agatti.
The Committee discussed
in detail various activities of the Ministry in a free and frank
manner. The Members were of strong view that there is an urgent
need for close monitoring of various centrally sponsored programmes
and schemes and expressed the need for greater participation of
people’s representatives.
The Committee also
suggested for upgrading the facilities particularly in cardiology,
nephrology and cancer in Safdarjung Hospital and RML Hospital
in Delhi to reduce the pressure on AIIMS. They emphasized the
need for Central Government setting up of specialty Hospital in
each State particularly in underdeveloped ones for providing better
health care facilities. They also suggested for integrating Indian
Systems of Medicine in the health care delivery. The Members appreciated
the opening of evening OPDs in various hospitals in Delhi to facilitate
treatment to elderly and working class.
