Mizoram boosts public healthcare as MUHCS rollout gathers pace
Aizawl, May 9 (UNI) The Mizoram government has ramped up healthcare infrastructure and personnel in its public hospitals as part of its efforts to effectively implement the Mizoram Universal Health Care Scheme (MUHCS), Health & Family Welfare Minister Lalrinpuii said on Friday.
Speaking at a performance review meeting on the ongoing MUHCS implementation, the minister said that significant strides had been made in both human resources and infrastructure development.
A total of 300 nurses and 100 multitask workers have been newly recruited to bolster frontline services, while appointments of X-ray and laboratory technicians, as well as a public relations officer, have been completed.
Recruitment for an additional 100 health workers is currently in progress. Several primary health centres (PHCs) and sub-centres will also be upgraded through funding secured from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), she added.
Lalrinpuii informed the gathering that work on the much-anticipated cancer super-speciality hospital is proceeding swiftly with financial support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). In parallel, 10 new intensive care units (ICUs) are being established at Zoram Medical College & Hospital, alongside the development of a cardio-thoracic and neurosurgery unit to expand critical care capacity.
The state is also laying the groundwork for setting up a renal transplant facility at Aizawl Civil Hospital, a move expected to significantly enhance treatment options for kidney patients within Mizoram.
Since the official launch of MUHCS on April 1, the state government has disbursed over Rs 2.59 crore to various empanelled hospitals offering cashless services under the scheme. These payments cover the treatment of 2,943 patients.
Lalrinpuii noted that bills worth Rs 4.11 crore have already been approved after scrutiny but are yet to be paid, while 490 additional treatment bills are still in the process of being settled.
However, a major challenge to the scheme's broader implementation remains. A significant number of private and mission-run hospitals have refused to join the MUHCS network, citing apprehensions over potential financial losses.
Despite this setback, the government remains committed to expanding access to quality healthcare and is steadily reinforcing the public health system to meet the growing demand under the scheme.
UNI ZS ARN
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Standard
44 minutes ago
- Business Standard
AstraZeneca Pharma soars after Q4 PAT jumps 48% YoY
AstraZeneca Pharma surged 10.03% to Rs 8764.05 after the company's standalone net profit rose 47.54% to Rs 58.25 crore, while revenue from operations rose 25.39% to Rs 480.48 crore in Q4 March 2025 over Q4 March 2024. Profit before tax (PBT) stood at Rs 78.47 crore in Q4 FY25, up 44.35% year-on-year, and up 86.74% quarter-on-quarter. Total expenses rose 22.22% to Rs 412.48 crore in Q4FY25 over Q4FY24. During the quarter, cost of materials consumed stood at Rs 94.25 crore (up 180.34% YoY) while employee benefits expense was at Rs 66.07 crore (up 13.95% YoY). The company's net profit surged 88.82% while net sales rose 9.13% in Q4 March 2025 over Q3 December 2024. For the full year FY25, revenue from operations rose 32.48% to Rs 1,716.29 crore, while net profit fell 28.34% to Rs 115.74 crore. PBT fell 28.78% to Rs 156.36 crore compared to FY24. The company's standalone net cash from operating activities stood at Rs 65.36 crore in FY25, as against Rs 27.87 crore in FY24. Dr. Sanjeev Panchal, country president & managing director of the company, said, "Our company delivered strong growth in Financial Year 2024-25 by launching innovative medicines in India, giving us momentum into 2025 and beyond. We are pleased to share that our company has, for the first time, crossed the INR 1,700 crore mark ($200 million)." The board recommended dividend of Rs 32 per equity share for FY25. AstraZeneca is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of prescription medicines in four areas: Oncology, Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Rare Diseases. It operates in over 100 countries.
New Indian Express
an hour ago
- New Indian Express
Breathing easy, by preparing well
BENGALURU: UST a few hundred fresh Covid-19 cases may not set off panic yet — but what happens if the numbers suddenly double or triple, like they did before? Are we really ready this time? A reality check by TNIE reveals that Karnataka is not taking any chances. After witnessing the devastation caused by previous Covid-19 waves, particularly the oxygen crisis during the second wave, the health and medical education department are moving swiftly to ensure that critical infrastructure built during the pandemic doesn't fall into disuse. Take the Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) oxygen generating plants, for instance. During the peak of the pandemic, 243 such plants were installed across district and taluk hospitals to ensure a steady oxygen supply. Each plant came with an annual maintenance cost of around Rs 5 lakh. In the months that followed, as Covid cases declined, many of these units were neglected and became defunct. But now, with cases gradually rising again in neighbouring countries and also within Karnataka, the state has reactivated most of these plants. District health officials have been instructed to carry out maintenance checks and ensure they are fully operational — a move that seems like a lesson learnt against the overall scramble seen during earlier waves. The state has kept its systems warm — from oxygen infrastructure and isolation wards to rapid testing capabilities — and officials say they are prepared to scale up within days if required. Rather than treating preparedness as a 'crisis-only' strategy, the state is treating it as a permanent feature of its health system. The panic button has been pressed early — not because the situation is dire yet, but because the cost of being unprepared is one the state cannot afford to repeat, officials say.
New Indian Express
an hour ago
- New Indian Express
100 days of Rekha Gupta government: Promises, progress, and persistent problems in Delhi
WHAT'S REALISED In first 100 days, the new government in Delhi has made significant strides in fulfilling the BJP's poll promises. Through initiatives in healthcare, education, women's welfare, infrastructure, and environmental sustainability, her administration claims to have laid a strong foundation for the city's development. One of the Gupta's earliest actions was approval of the Ayushman Bharat scheme in Delhi, one that provides health insurance coverage of Rs 5 lakh per family, with an additional Rs 5 lakh top-up funded by the city government. The scheme aims to enhance access to quality healthcare for residents, addressing a long-standing gap in the city's health insurance coverage. The Chief Minister presented a Rs 1 lakh crore budget for 2025-26, marking the highest allocation in the city's history. Notably, Rs 9,000 crore has been allocated for clean drinking water and sanitation projects, and Rs 6,874 crore for health initiatives, including the establishment of new health and wellness centers and the expansion of the Ayushman Arogya Mandir initiative. On May 29, Gupta inaugurated three state-of-the-art health facilities at Lok Nayak Hospital. These include a Medical Genetics Ward, a Lactation Management Unit, and a Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing lab. The Medical Genetics Department is the first of its kind in Delhi government hospitals, focusing on diagnosing and treating rare genetic disorders. The government has prioritised women's welfare in form of the Mahila Samridhi Yojana, allocating Rs 5,100 crore to provide Rs 2,500 per month to eligible women. Additionally, 50,000 CCTV cameras are being installed across Delhi to enhance women's safety. The government has also launched 100 'Atal Canteens' with a budget of Rs 100 crore to ensure food security for the poor. In line with the National Education Policy, the government has announced new CM Shri schools, with an initial Rs 100 crore allocation. Additionally, 175 new computer labs are being established, and smart classes are being installed with a Rs 100 crore budget. Free laptops will be provided to 1,200 students on passing class 10, with Rs 750 crore allocated for this initiative. A new project, 'NEEV – New Era of Entrepreneur Ecosystem and Vision,' has been launched with an allocation of Rs 20 crore to equip children with essential skills for modern economies. The administration has also focused on enhancing the Delhi infrastructure. A Rs 1,000 crore allocation has been made for improved connectivity in the National Capital Region. Additionally, Rs 3,843 crore has been allocated for road and bridge infrastructure, and Rs 696 crore for development in slum clusters. The government is also working on repairing old sewer lines and converting the Haryana-Delhi canal into a pipeline to improve water supply. The BJP government touts its plans of cleaning the Yamuna River by decentralising 40 sewage treatment plants and ensuring that only treated water reaches the river. A Rs 500 crore allocation has been made for this initiative. Additionally, Rs 250 crore has been allocated for repairing old sewer lines, and Rs 50 crore for rainwater harvesting initiatives. The government is also seeking an additional Rs 2,000 crore from the Centre to make water and sewage infrastructure world-class. The Chief Minister has emphasised transparency and public engagement through regular 'Jan Sunwai' (public grievance) sessions held both at the Chief Minister's camp office and in all districts. These sessions aim to strengthen public engagement and address citizens' concerns promptly.
