Hospitals in Rajasthan asked to spend 20% of medical relief funds on cleanliness of premises

JAIPUR: Hospitals in the state have been asked to spend 20% of the Rajasthan Medical Relief Society (RMRS) funds they receive on cleanliness and sanitation of their premises, cottage wards and parks.
At a recent meeting with principals of medical colleges, CM Ashok Gehlot had expressed concern over the cleanliness of hospitals and issued directions to ensure proper cleanliness at government hospitals.
The government has directed the hospitals to spend 10% on annual maintenance of equipment, 5% on emergency services including arrangement of ambulances for deceased patients, 15% on new equipment, 10% on honorarium of contractual employees, 25% on construction work, 10% on innovative strategies, and 5% on other miscellaneous work.
The manual of Rajasthan Medical Relief Society (RMRS) was issued in 2018.
In the meanwhile, Mukhya Mantri Chiranjeevi Health Insurance Scheme has been launched and facilities such as maternal and child health wings, sick newborn care units, ICUs, and oxygen plants have been extended.
The health department has divided the RMRS budget into two parts. The first part includes the budget of schemes of both the state government and the Centre. The second part is for funds to be spent on sanitation, cleanliness, maintenance of equipment, purchase of new equipment, construction work, and other provisions.
“The health department is focusing more on construction as 25% of the funds of part two will be spent on it, and 20% of the funds will be spent for keeping the hospitals clean,” said a health department official.