By Chandigarh: Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has approved a proposal to introduce special incentives for doctors, support staff and Ayushman Mitras working in government hospitals that attract a higher number of patients. The move is aimed at encouraging greater use of public healthcare facilities and improving the delivery of services under the Ayushman Bharat and Chirayu schemes.
The announcement came during a review meeting of the Health Department at the Haryana Civil Secretariat, where Saini directed officials to strengthen government hospitals and improve their performance. He said the funds received by hospitals for providing treatment under the two health schemes would be used not only for staff incentives but also for hospital upgrades, sanitation and incentives for Ayushman Mitras.
The state government has approved the Health Department’s proposal in this regard.
Free Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment at Government Hospitals
Saini directed officials to expand the number of treatment packages available under the Ayushman scheme at government hospitals. He specifically announced that treatment for diabetic retinopathy would be provided free of cost at all government hospitals.
The chief minister said the condition can now be treated through injections and directed the department to include the treatment in the available Ayushman package so that eligible patients can receive the treatment without having to bear the cost.
Vacant Specialist Posts to Get Priority
The government also plans to address shortages of specialist doctors in public hospitals. Saini ordered the immediate filling of vacant posts for doctors, radiologists and cardiologists.
Apart from regular recruitment, he proposed an open mechanism under which specialist doctors could choose the government hospital where they want to work and decide the period for which they are available.
The chief minister also suggested engaging retired radiologists at hospitals located close to their homes. He directed officials to use the list of radiologists registered with the National Medical Commission and consider relaxation of age limits wherever necessary.
Specialists working in private hospitals or private practice could also be engaged by government hospitals, with payments made on a daily basis or for individual procedures, according to the proposal discussed during the meeting.
Government Hospitals to Be Monitored Online
Saini directed the Health Department to bring district and sub-divisional hospitals, Community Health Centres, Primary Health Centres and sub-centres onto a common online platform.
Under the proposed system, key activities such as patient registration, diagnostic tests, consultations and the distribution of medicines would be recorded in real time. The aim is to give officials a clearer picture of how hospitals are functioning and where intervention may be required.
The chief minister also stressed the need for prompt repair of medical equipment. He directed officials to ensure that faulty equipment is repaired without unnecessary delay and that responsibility is fixed where equipment remains unused because of negligence or prolonged repair timelines.
The department was further asked to speed up the tender process for establishing cath labs at government hospitals.
Amrit Pharmacies Target Set for November 1
Saini set November 1 as the deadline for opening Amrit Pharmacies in government hospitals across all districts of Haryana.
He also instructed officials to focus on hospitals where the number of Ayushman Bharat and Chirayu claims remains below the state average and directed them to work on improving their performance.
The chief minister said he would personally review the functioning of district-level HIV Task Forces every four months. Deputy Commissioners, meanwhile, would review their work every two months.
Saini also directed officials to upgrade Hansi Hospital as a district hospital.
Review of Health Department Initiatives
During the meeting, the chief minister reviewed progress on decisions taken during the previous Health Department review. The assessment covered the use of the e-Upchar system, the functioning of de-addiction centres, registration of eligible beneficiaries under the Ayushman Bharat and Chirayu schemes, hospital cleanliness and the monitoring of Ayushman claims.
The latest directions indicate a focus on linking hospital performance with patient usage, strengthening specialist availability and improving real-time monitoring across Haryana’s public healthcare network.
