Latest news with #AshokSinghal
India Gazette
4 days ago
- Health
- India Gazette
Assam Health Minister Ashok Singhal reviews department's performance; issues directives to strengthen services in flood-affected areas
Dispur (Assam) [India] June 2 (ANI): Health and Family Welfare Minister Ashok Singhal on Monday reviewed the functioning of the Health and Family Welfare Department during a meeting held at the National Health Mission office in Guwahati, Assam. The meeting reviewed various aspects of the department's work, including implementation of schemes, infrastructure development and the delivery of health services, particularly in flood-affected areas. Minister Singhal emphasised the need for continuous health check-ups and the timely distribution of essential medicines in relief shelters. Singhal instructed doctors, nurses and health workers to remain fully alert to tackle the rise in waterborne and other infectious diseases during and after the floods. He also reviewed the department's efforts to control the spread of malaria in the Indo-Bhutan border areas of Kokrajhar and Chirang districts. During the meeting, the Minister identified several priority areas and issued directions for immediate action. He directed the department to establish a Fast Referral Unit (FRU) in each Assembly constituency to provide maternal, pediatric and emergency health services. He also instructed the Director of Ayush, Assam, to arrange regular yoga training sessions at every Ayushman Arogya Mandir as part of the Fit India Movement and to encourage community participation in health awareness initiatives. Minister Singhal stressed the importance of fully digitizing the administrative and information systems of the department to enhance efficiency and transparency. He asked officials to ensure the availability of essential medicines in every government hospital across the state. Additionally, he directed the department to conduct regular training and personality development programs for doctors, nurses, ASHA workers and all healthcare staff to improve the quality of service delivery. The meeting also included a detailed review of the current status of blood banks in the state, the progress of Ayushman Bharat, Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) and Ayushman Assam, Mukhya Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AA-MMJAY) and precautionary measures to be taken in light of the recent rise in COVID-19 infections. Minister Singhal emphasised the need for a proactive and people-centric approach in delivering healthcare services, especially in times of crisis like the ongoing floods. The meeting was attended by senior officials including Commissioner & Secretaries Dr P Ashok Babu and Barnali Sharma, Commissioner & Secretary of Medical Education and Research Dr Siddharth Singh, Director of Health Services Dr Umesh Phangcho, Director of Health Services (Family Welfare) Kamaljit Talukdar and Executive Director of the National Health Mission, Assam, Dr Manoj Choudhury. (ANI)
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Assam Health Minister issues certificates to 5 institutions to establish ART clinics, surrogacy centres
Guwahati: In a significant step toward improving reproductive healthcare services in the state, Assam Health and Family Welfare Minister Ashok Singhal distributed official certificates to five institutions for establishing Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Clinics, ART Banks and Surrogacy Clinics in a programme held in Guwahati. The institutions that received certification include Apollo Fertility, Guwahati; Downtown Hospital in Guwahati, GMCH Fertility and IVF Centre, Guwahati; The Institute of Human Reproduction in Guwahati and Swasti Hospital in Rangia. During the programme, Minister Ashok Singhal on Friday stated that today is an important day in Assam's health and family welfare sector, as the process of surrogacy has now come under formal government regulation in Assam. He added that the certification of these institutions will help bring hope and happiness to distressed couples who have been struggling to conceive a child. This milestone follows the implementation of the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021 and the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021, by the Government of India, along with their corresponding rules notified in 2022. In alignment with these national regulations, the Government of Assam established the State Assisted Reproductive Technology and Surrogacy Board and the Appropriate Authority for ART and Surrogacy in December 2023. To facilitate the application process for institutions seeking to establish ART and surrogacy services, the Appropriate Authority launched a state-wide drive through newspaper advertisements on January 30, 2025. Applications are processed via the National ART & Surrogacy Portal, where institutions must submit their information online, followed by the submission of printed documents and payment of registration fees. Once verified, the institutions are inspected by the Appropriate Authority before receiving certification. Earlier this year, the first certificate was issued to an intending couple and surrogate mother after evaluation by the District Medical Board in Dibrugarh, marking the beginning of regulated surrogacy services in Assam. Minister Singhal emphasised the government's commitment to ensuring safe, ethical and high-quality reproductive care. He said the state is dedicated to creating a transparent and accountable system that guarantees access to advanced reproductive services for couples in need. The programme was attended Dr. P. Ashok Babu, Commissioner & Secretary, Health & Family Welfare Department; Barnali Shama, Commissioner & Secretary, Health & Family Welfare Department; Dr. Umesh Phangcho, DHS, Asam and Dr. Heremba Bhattacharyya, Joint DHS(HQ) and Nodal Officer, Surrogacy and august presence of Senior Health Officers and other departmental officials.
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Assam: Health Minister reviews preparedness for International Day of Yoga
Dispur: Assam Health Minister Ashok Singhal conducted a virtual meeting with all District Commissioners and Co-District Commissioners on Wednesday to assess their readiness for the upcoming International Day of Yoga . Dr. P. Ashok Babu, Commissioner and Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, and Ms. Indranoshi Das, Director, AYUSH, Assam, attended the meeting. In his address, the Minister emphasised that yoga is not only for June 21, but should be practised daily throughout the year. He urged all district officials to conduct awareness activities and promote yoga as an essential part of daily life. He added that the celebration of IDY should be transformed from a routine event into a vibrant public festival that involves every section of society. The International Day of Yoga is celebrated globally on June 21 every year. The date was chosen because it marks the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. According to the release, this year, the 11th International Day of Yoga will be observed with the theme " Yoga for One Earth , One Health," which underlines the deep connection between personal well-being and the planet's health. The state-level central celebration of IDY 2025 in Assam will be held in Salbari, Baksa district. The venue was jointly reviewed by the Director of AYUSH and the Deputy Commissioner of Baksa. As stated in the release, the Chief Minister later approved it for the main celebration on June 21. All district administrations have been directed to extend full support and ensure wide public participation and visibility for the event. Alongside the central celebration, district and co-district level programs will be organised across all 35 districts of Assam. These include yoga demonstrations, awareness drives, cultural programs, and competitions. Schools, colleges, panchayats, and Ayushman Arogya Mandirs will be crucial in engaging people at the grassroots level. As part of the grand celebration of International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2025, the Ministry of AYUSH is launching several transformative initiatives to deepen public engagement and global outreach. A synchronised mass yoga demonstration called Yoga Sangama will take place at 1,00,000 locations across the globe, aiming to set a new world record. Strengthening international collaboration, Yoga Bandhan will see partnerships with 10 countries to host yoga sessions at iconic global landmarks. To promote long-term community engagement, 1,000 Yoga Parks will be developed nationwide. Inclusivity will be a key focus through Yoga Samavesh, offering special yoga programs for Divyangjan, senior citizens, children, and marginalised groups. A long-term impact review titled Yoga Prabhava will assess the role of yoga in public health over the past decade. The Yoga Connect Virtual Global Summit will bring together leading yoga experts and healthcare professionals worldwide. Harit Yoga will promote sustainability, combining yoga sessions with tree-planting and cleanliness drives. To attract younger generations, Yoga Unplugged will host engaging, youth-focused events and challenges. A large-scale Yoga Maha Kumbh celebration will unfold as a week-long festival at 10 locations, culminating in a central event led by the Prime Minister. The Samyogam initiative will also run for 100 days, integrating yoga practices with modern healthcare to promote holistic wellness across communities. A select number of these events will also be carried out in various parts of Assam to encourage community participation, focusing on youth and public involvement. Special countdown programs will be organised in the lead-up to June 21. A Yoga Asana Competition based on the Common Yoga Protocol will be conducted in four age groups in all districts. The District Commissioner will supervise the program and coordinate with the District Nodal Officer (AYUSH), with support from AYUSH officials and NGOs. All participants will receive certificates, and the winners will be awarded on the day of the celebration in the presence of local dignitaries. The Health Minister urged all officials to collaborate actively with educational institutions, the Armed Forces, NCC, NSS, local bodies, NGOs, and yoga organisations to ensure inclusive participation from all age groups and communities. A full-fledged media campaign will be launched soon using print, digital, and outdoor platforms to raise awareness and encourage regular yoga practice among citizens.
