Friday, October 22, 2010

Visit of Prof Abhjit Sen, Hon Member Planning Commission to Koraput

             Three member Planning Commission team lead by Prof Abhjit Sen with Dr L.P. Sanker , Senior Advisor and Dr Indu Patnaik Deputy Advisor as member visited Koraput on 19th oct. The visit of the team was on the background of Collera outbreak in Rayagada. The focus of the visit was accessing the preparedness and handling of epidemic situation, water and sanitation scenario and also to access the implementation of flagship programes like MGNREGA.
              On way to Pottangi the Team first visited EMRS (Ekalavya Model Residential School), Punger .The Team  visited to CHC, Pottangi observed the health infrastructure interacted with Dr. Kar, Medical Officer In charge and other staff. They also wanted to know about the mode of referral service of worst cases from CHC to other referral centers. The MO explained the team about the functioning of MHU, preparedness done in advance to tackle the outbreak of malaria, anthrax and diarrhoea in the CHC area along with the response of the health administration and periodical reviews. The team advised the MO to display the list of the medicine available on the given day for the information of the general public.
              Subsequently the team left for Maliput GP and visited a PDS shop run by a SHG. They interacted with SHG members, PEO and general public about the PDS distribution. They also visited the Sub Centre in the village and interacted with the ANM and villagers on all aspects of health services. Then the team happen to visit the village Podapadar under Pottangi block interacted with the labourers working on Podapadar to Bariameta road work under MGNREGA. They made enquiries about the wage payment and other issues pertaining to MGNREGA. They also visited the working watershed in Podapadar and interacted with Watershed Committee. They found to be satisfied with the awareness level of the villagers and the work done by PD, Watershed.
                   In the evening a brief presentation was made before the team giving greater scope for interaction. The preparedness of the district for epidemics was explained giving detail about the initiatives taken in the field of health at District level. Following main interventions  were highlighted  before the team for action at  the PC level.
1.   The District should be included in the Left Wing Extremist affected districts.
2. Being a nerve center of South Orissa a Medical College shall be established at Koraput
3. Special focus for recruiting the Tribals in Army , Navy, IAF and Para military forces shall be given
4. The vacant posts of Doctors and Para medics shall be filled up without further delay
5. Residential Education complexes on the Model of EMRS in each block of the district shall be established for imparting quality education to the tribals
6. Special emphasis on the cultivation of Coffee and spices shall be given in Koraput with processing facility and independent office of Spices Board to start in Koraput, a Cashew Research Center shall also be established in Koraput for supporting the potential in the District
7. Special emphasis on connectivity and maintenance of roads in the vast district shall be given.
             The appreciated these genuine demands and promised to take them up to the logical conclusions. Next day i.e. on 20th the team left for Rayagada.