CM unveils ICU in Pithoragarh

Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat inaugurated the first Intensive Care Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the State at the District Hospital in Pithoragarh on Saturday. The Hans Foundation has assisted the State health department in setting up the ICU. CM also flagged off nine mobile medical units and two mammography vans provided by the Foundation on the occasion.

Addressing the people who gathered at a programme organised to mark the occasion, CM said that ICU in every district hospital would be established by 2020, adding that top priority of the State Government is to improve the health services across the State. Thanking the Hans foundation for helping in the establishment of ICU, Rawat said that the vision of the State Government is to provide best health care facility even  in  the remotest areas of the State.

He said that all necessary services are being provided for the patients  by the doctors  running  the ICU.

Things have started with Pithoragarh and the same  would be established  in Uttarkashi, Pauri, Tehri, Chamoli and other districts  by the end of this year itself, CM declared. He also announced that 30 doctors would be appointed in Pithoragarh district in this week itself.

The chief executive officer (CEO) of Hans Foundation Lieutenant General, Surendra Mohan Mehta (Rtd) said that the two vans fitted with mammography machines have been dedicated to the people.

He said that these Mammography vans would operate both in Kumaon and Garhwal divisions and examine the cases of breast cancer. Once diagnosed, further treatment would be done at the Cancer Hospital Haldwani, Sushila Tiwari and Doon Medical College, he said. Mehta further informed that a doctor, a pharmacist, lab technician and ANM have been deployed in all the nine medical units flagged off by the CM on the day. These vans would function as mobile primary health centers, he added.

Mata Mangla of Hans Foundation lauded the CM’s vision of strengthening health service in the remote areas of the State. “Because of committed approach of the CM, the ICU has been established within two months here. With the support of the Government, Hans Foundation will soon establish ICUs in other districts of the state”, she said. She hoped that  the ICU  would save lives aside from  providing better medical facilities in the area. She mentioned that Hans Foundation is currently providing this service in 28 other states of the country.

Among others present were the State Finance Minister Prakash Pant, Bhole Ji Maharaj of Hans Foundation, MLA Didihat Bishan Singh Chuphal, secretary Medical and Health Nitesh Jha, additional secretary Medical  and Health Yugal Kishore Pant, District Magistrate of Pithoragarh C Ravishankar and superintendent of police (SSP) Ajay Joshi.