Health Deptt. to launch Palliative Care Campaign shortly: CM

Shimla June 26

While presiding over a meeting of Health Department here today, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu directed to identify the eligible beneficiaries for palliative care with special focus on elderly persons requiring home based health care. He said that the State Government would launch a comprehensive palliative care campaign shortly, aimed at offering door step medical services to elderly and patients across the State.

Sh. Sukhu said that ASHA workers and Community Health officers (CHOs) will identify the eligible beneficiaries and team comprising of medical officer, physiotherapist from Aadarsh Swasthya Sansthan alongwith CHOs will visit the shortlisted beneficiaries to finalize the treatment plan. The identification and planning process will be completed within three months of launch. He said that palliative and elderly care hubs would be established at Aadarsh Swasthya Sansthan, where two medical officers, two nurses, one physiotherapist and counselor will provide health care services. The team will also visit homes of the beneficiaries quarterly to monitor and support the beneficiaries.

The Chief Minister also reviewed Himcare and Ayushman Bharat Scheme and directed to ensure seeding of the beneficiaries with Him Parivar number. He said that new Himcare applicants will be able to apply for enrollment under the scheme quarterly and cards to be issued in the last month of each quarter. Additionally, the Principals of Medical Colleges and Medical Superintendent will also be empowered to recommend the issuance of Himcare cards for upto 100 critical patients within their respective hospitals.