RAIPUR,CG,BHARAT: Chhattisgarh Health Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal emphasized the need for reaching a broad consensus between doctors and the health department to ensure the smooth functioning of the scheme.

He was holding a meeting of doctors at his residence office to discuss the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat Scheme in both insurance and trust modes.

During the discussion, doctors presented their concerns regarding the challenges faced under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana. The meeting also addressed steps to resolve complaints from doctors participating in the scheme.

Minister Jaiswal assured that any decision would be made in collaboration with the medical community, keeping the best interests of the scheme in mind.

The issue of abolishing bonds for MBBS and postgraduate students was also brought up. Minister Jaiswal responded positively, stating that the government would consider freeing MBBS students from bond obligations. Additionally, he instructed speeding up the appointment process under the Rural Bond program to avoid delays for students.

In a significant decision for doctors pursuing post-graduate studies while in government service, Jaiswal announced that the study leave period would be extended to three years, reversing the previous government's decision to reduce it to two years, which was considered impractical.

The demand to exempt 30-bedded hospitals from the Nursing Home Act was also discussed. The Health Minister agreed to this request and assured that an official order would be issued soon. He further promised to streamline processes for environmental, fire safety, and other clearances through a single-window system.

Other issues such as the P.N.D.T. Act, hostel-related concerns, the Doctor Protection Act, regularization of contract doctors, the formation of a State Medical Administrative Services Authority, and the establishment of biomedical waste plants were also raised. Minister Jaiswal assured doctors that the government would take appropriate action or reach a decision on all matters discussed.