SHILLONG, 24 May: National Health Authority (NHA) CEO RS Sharma said he would take it up with TRAI and telecom authorities to improve connectivity in the Northeast region to ensure that health-related services are not affected.
He said this after health authorities of the eight Northeast states told him that connectivity in all the states is poor and this is affecting the smooth delivery of health services to the citizens.
The NHA CEO was here in Meghalaya on Monday to review the flagship Ayushman Bharat and Ayushman Sangam with health authorities of all eight NE states. In the meeting, all state representatives aired concerns about connectivity of remote inhabitations in the Northeast region.
“Connectivity remains the biggest issue in remote villages. I will take it up with TRAI and telecom authorities on this matter,” Sharma said.
On a pilot project undertaken by the Meghalaya government to ensure health services reach the last mile in the state, the NHA CEO lauded the village health councils (VHC) formed at the village levels.
The VHC is formed at the village level involving all citizens at the grassroots level to ensure that health-related issues are addressed directly by the council at the grassroots level under the supervision of the state health authorities.
“We will try and convince other states to implement this idea (VHC). The purpose of having a review is to also implement such ideas that worked at state level,” Sharma said. (PTI)
