Docs must be present at PHCs in morning hours: Govt

Patna: Chief secretary Pratyaya Amrit on Tuesday directed that all doctors and medical staff should ensure 100% attendance at primary health centres (PHCs) and hospitals between 4am and 6am.The directive comes as data reveals that nearly 80% of acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) cases emerge during these early morning hours.Chairing a high-level meeting of the State Task Force Committee to review preparations for AES and Japanese encephalitis (JE), the chief secretary warned that absence of doctors and medical staff would not be tolerated.Attendance would be monitored via the ‘Darpan Plus App’ and the 104 helpline and strict action would be taken against negligent staff, he said.Health department secretary Kumar Ravi presented the state’s comprehensive preparation strategy. Currently, 15 paediatric intensive care units (PICUs) are fully operational across 12 vulnerable districts, including Muzaffarpur, Patna, Vaishali and Darbhanga.Infrastructure has been heavily upgraded, including a 100-bed special PICU and a 60-bed encephalitis ward at SKMCH in Muzaffarpur.To eliminate transit delays, 959 ambulances have been deployed, and immediate cash reimbursements are guaranteed for families using private vehicles.Essential medical supplies, including 28 types of life-saving medicines at PHCs and 44 types at medical colleges, are stocked.Emphasising that children’s health is the top priority, the chief secretary highlighted the govt’s resolve that “no child should sleep empty stomach”. A major multi-departmental convergence strategy was rolled out to tackle the disease from all fronts.