(a) the status of implementation of the Swasth North East initiative of the Government;
(b) whether the improvement in public health facilities achieved has been tangible in the North East;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the action taken by the Government in this regard?
The Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Development of
North Eastern Region
[Dr. Jitendra Singh]
(a) to (d): In addition to the efforts of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare for improvement of health care facilities, the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region has taken up a total of 56 projects in the medical & health sector under its Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) scheme, out of which 37 are already completed and 19 are ongoing. NLCPR scheme has been restructured as North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS), which is fully funded by the Central Government. One of the objectives of NESIDS is creation of infrastructure in the areas of primary and secondary sectors of education and health.
Further, as per the revised guidelines of North Eastern Council (NEC), NEC is mandated to take up/sanction projects/schemes related to Tertiary Healthcare (including Health Education) only in the NER. At present, there are 17 ongoing projects under various stages of implementation. Nine projects have been closed/completed during 2018-19. A project for Strengthening Human Resources and System Capacity for Public Health in North Eastern Region has also been sanctioned, which is ongoing.
This Ministry has also supported strengthening of capacities of officers in North Eastern States in providing better healthcare facilities.