Govt to enrol more hospitals, doctors under Ayushman Scheme

 

 

 

DURING a high-level review meeting on health, medical education and drug administration held at Mantralaya, officials were instructed to expand the state’s cashless treatment network. The directive emphasised the need to integrate more hospitals and doctors, across both public and private sectors, into the system to improve healthcare accessibility for citizens.

 

The meeting focused on widening Ayushman access by empanelling non-participating hospitals, accelerating doctor recruitment, and allowing qualified private practitioners to serve at primary and community health centres with incentives. Retention of government-funded bond doctors within the state, especially in tribal and underserved districts, was also emphasised, along with revised pay, promotional avenues and posting in new medical colleges and field hospitals.

 

Officials flagged concerns over unnecessary C-sections in private hospitals and the misuse of 108 ambulances diverting patients to private facilities. Instructions were issued for stricter regulation and transparent monitoring of these services. Key updates included progress on medical infrastructure: Government medical colleges nearing completion in Rajgarh, Mandla, Chhatarpur, Ujjain, Damoh and Budhni; PPPmode colleges moving ahead in Katni, Dhar, Panna and Betul; and cath labs planned in every divisional headquarters.

 

A proposal to finalise new recruitment rules for bond doctors is expected to go before the Cabinet shortly. Data presented in the review highlighted several gains: Over 84,000 low-cost cardiac surgeries in two years, maternal mortality reduced from 173 to 142, infant mortality from 41 to 37, and Madhya Pradesh’s top-tier performance in TB elimination and sickle-cell screening with 1.25 crore tests.

 

Land allotment at Rs 1 for private hospital investment, claimed as a first in the country, has drawn interest, with tenders for nine additional districts underway. New district hospitals have been sanctioned for Maihar, Mauganj and Pandhurna, while major bed capacity additions are ongoing in Tikamgarh, Neemuch and other districts. More than 12,600 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, 448 CM Sanjeevani Clinics and strengthened ambulance and mortuary transport networks are operational.