Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma today announced that 50 riverine public health centres would be set up in the state soon under the National Rural Health Mission.
In a reply to the Assam Legislative Assembly here, the minister said that the public health centres would be located primarily in the districts of Barpeta, Dhubri, Goalpara and Darrang. Sarma said that the government was contemplating to implement several schemes under the health department such as 15 boats with operation theatre facilities, including five boat ambulances under the 108 emergency scheme.
The state government has approached the North East Council for setting up of floating hospitals, Sarma said, adding that the pilot project of that would be prepared by 2013.
Replying to queries by opposition members that doctors in char (riverine) areas remain absent from duty most of the time, Sarma said the government is contemplating a legislation to make it mandatory for doctors to stay in their place of posting.