Madhya Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla on Friday, 30 October called for intensified efforts to reduce maternal and infant mortality across the state, directing doctors posted in rural and remote areas to ensure regular attendance and timely treatment for patients. The directive came during a video conference review of healthcare services in Jabalpur, Mandla, and Narsinghpur districts.

What the Review Covered

Shukla conducted the session with bond-service doctors — medical graduates fulfilling mandatory rural postings — stressing the need for stronger implementation of maternal and child healthcare programmes and better coordination among medical personnel. He underlined that improving both the reach and quality of healthcare in rural areas remained a government priority.

'Expansion of healthcare services, improvement in their quality and ensuring timely treatment for common citizens are among the government's priorities,' Shukla said during the session.

Key Directives Issued

The Deputy Chief Minister called for coordinated action on programmes covering maternal and child health, anaemia control, identification and management of sickle cell disease, and non-communicable diseases. He directed all doctors to be present at their designated outpatient departments from 9 am daily, so that patients from remote villages are not left without medical assistance.

Shukla also instructed chief medical and health officers to ensure that bond-service doctors have access to proper accommodation, food, drinking water, electricity, and other essential facilities. He asked officials to address doctors' grievances on priority and arrange necessary training, emphasising that a supportive working environment was essential for committed service delivery.

Ground-Level Findings in Mandla

During the review of Mandla district, Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) D.J. Mohanty informed the Deputy CM that 67 bond-service doctors had been posted in the district, of whom 50 had joined duty. Shukla interacted directly with Dr Ashish Paras, posted at Jamthar village in Bijadandi block, and enquired about the facilities available at the facility.

He also spoke with Dr Anju Maravi, posted at the Majhgawan Primary Health Centre in Jabalpur, seeking details on outpatient services, telemedicine facilities, medicine availability, and staff strength. Block medical officers were separately asked to conduct regular monitoring of health institutions under their charge.

Officials Present

Jabalpur Collector Arun Kumar Vishwakarma, CMHO Naveen Kothari, and other senior health officials attended the meeting. The review is part of an ongoing state push to plug gaps in rural healthcare delivery, particularly in districts with significant tribal and underserved populations such as Mandla.

With maternal and infant mortality remaining a persistent challenge in several Madhya Pradesh districts, the outcome of these directives — and whether absenteeism and infrastructure gaps are meaningfully addressed — will determine the on-ground impact of Friday's exercise.