Government Committed to provide Timely, Accessible, and High-Quality Healthcare to Every Citizen: Deputy Chief Minister Shri Shukla

Bhopal, Deputy Chief Minister Shri Rajendra Shukla reaffirmed the Madhya Pradesh government’s commitment to provide timely, accessible, and high-quality healthcare services to every citizen in the state. He emphasized that addressing the shortage of specialist doctors and other medical manpower in rural areas is a critical challenge that requires both medical and non-medical interventions. He stressed the importance of optimizing the use of healthcare services and resources to ensure that these facilities are accessible to all sections of society, across every region of the state.

The Deputy Chief Minister was speaking during a courtesy meeting with the World Bank delegation at the Ministry in Bhopal. The discussions centered on identifying key areas of improvement to further strengthen the state’s healthcare system and enhance accessibility for all.

Shri Shukla highlighted the government’s efforts to extend advanced healthcare services to rural and remote areas. He shared that initiatives are underway to develop Community Health Centers (CHCs) into First Referral Units (FRUs). Additionally, medical colleges are being expanded, and large-scale recruitments are being carried out to strengthen the healthcare workforce. He reiterated that these measures aim to improve healthcare delivery and elevate the state’s health indicators.

Suggestions for Immediate and Long-Term Benefits.
The Deputy Chief Minister stressed the need for significant improvements in crucial health indicators such as Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR). He called for strategies that deliver short-term, impactful results while also offering sustainable, long-term solutions. Shri Shukla urged the World Bank delegation to conduct a thorough assessment of the state’s current healthcare challenges and provide actionable recommendations that would yield both immediate and phased benefits over time.

He further stated that the World Bank’s study would provide a solid foundation for understanding the existing gaps in the healthcare system and implementing corrective measures. The meeting included an in-depth discussion on the current state of health services in the state, the study of health indicators, the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and a geographical analysis of disease distribution. Notably, the World Bank will conduct this comprehensive assessment and propose reforms to empower the state’s healthcare system, ensuring universal and quality healthcare services for all citizens.

World Bank’s “Getting Health Reform Right” Framework to Guide Recommendations.
World Bank representative Mr. Amit Nagraj explained that the study would be conducted under the “Getting Health Reform Right” framework. This holistic and evidence-based approach will analyze the state’s healthcare system to identify challenges and opportunities. The study aims to recommend reforms aligned with the goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC), focusing on equity, accessibility, quality, and efficiency.

The study’s primary objective is to make the healthcare system more effective, robust, and inclusive while ensuring high-quality services for all citizens. Sharing their global and national experiences, World Bank representatives assured that their recommendations would be practical and tailored to the unique needs of Madhya Pradesh.

The study is set to commence in January 2025, with its final report and implementation roadmap scheduled for submission by March 2025. Principal Secretary of Public Health and Medical Education Shri Sandeep Yadav, Additional CEO of AEGPA Shri Lokesh Sharma, World Bank Health Specialist Ms. Jigyasa Sharma, Mr. Chris Anderson, and other departmental officials were present.