OBSERVATIONS &
RECOMMENDATIONS:
On the spot
inspection by the members of the Commission along-with the officials revealed
that the C.H.C. was in a bad state of affair, even Incinerator was
unavailabile in many CHCs/PHCs. The Commission called for immediate attention to
ensure quality of service in preventive, protective and curative health care.
Health delivery is most effective when centralized to State, District and Local
levels, with communities taking leadership and responsibility for health and
development.
As of now, the
health facilities in the State of Meghalaya need improvement in all respect.
The Commission recommended that the Health Department is to strengthen the
monitoring and evaluation Cell to enhance the functioning of all the CHCs/PHCs
and Sub-Centres in the State. Secondly, so far as health facilities of the
people are concerned, the Health Department should improve the coordination
between different other departments in the State to bring in better results
oriented output. It is understood that after the Public Hearing a Village Health
Committee was formed to look into the functioning of the CHCs/PHCs. To-day,
many villages have the Village Health Committee.
9.3. The Commission
organized the third Public Hearing on ‘Women in Agriculture (Potato
Growers) in East Khasi Hills district’ on the 20th October, 2005,
with financial assistance from the NCW.
Observations & Recommendations:
It was observed that
there is lack of initiation on the part of the Government for recovery of money
due to be received by the farmers under the Crop Insurance scheme in spite of
all preliminary investment by the B.D.O. and the bank. It is learned that there
is also lack of coordination between the district authority and the Agriculture
Department. The officials represented the bank expressed the views that the
matter is pending with the Government and the Insurance Company.
The Government
should expedite settlement of claims with Insurance Company so that due
compensation governs under the scheme reaches to the affected farming community
in time. To avoid the delay Government may make specific rules so that the
B.D.O. can conduct the inspection without reference to the Deputy Commissioner
and submit directly to the Director of Agriculture for proper evaluation of the
damages. It is suggested that in such damage of crop negotiations may be made
with the financial institution to conduct a separate enquiry for the damages.
This will enable the Government to make further negotiations with the bank to
consider deferment of the payment of loan availed by the farmers or subsidy or
total waif of the loan for the benefit of the farmers. Public Hearing extended
an opportunity to the women farming community to know the schemes offered by
different financial institutions; such as Banks, NABARD, Kisan Credit Card, etc.
for better support system and economic status.
10. The Meghalaya
State Commission for Women also had conducted a Legal Awareness Program at
Umsning, Ri-Bhoi district in collaboration with Ri-Bhoi Area Welfare Association
to create awareness about the health hazards including HIV/AIDS, RCH,
deprivation of nutrition to girl child, etc. The Commission already had meetings
with the Health and Social Welfare departments for an integrated approach.
