Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh) [India], January 8 (HBTV): The Arunachal Pradesh government on Thursday decided to procure 40 Mobile Medical Units under the Vibrant Villages Programme funded by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The decision was taken at a state cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pema Khandu.
The cabinet approved the procurement of the units through HLL Lifecare Ltd., with operational support to be funded under the National Health Mission. According to a press release issued by the Chief Minister’s Office, the Mobile Medical Units will strengthen healthcare delivery in 455 Vibrant Villages across 11 border districts, including Anjaw, Dibang Valley, East Kameng, Kra Daadi, Kurung Kumey, Lower Dibang Valley, Shi Yomi, Tawang, Upper Siang, Upper Subansiri and West Kameng.
The release stated that the units will improve access to essential healthcare services in remote and border areas lacking health infrastructure and help bridge the gap between rural and urban healthcare. Each unit will provide comprehensive primary healthcare services, including OPD services, maternal and child healthcare, elderly care, basic diagnostics such as portable handheld X-ray with AI, essential medicines, screening for communicable and non-communicable diseases, teleconsultation and referral support.
The initiative is expected to improve health indicators, reduce out-of-pocket expenditure and enhance the quality of life of people living in border villages, while reinforcing the government’s commitment to inclusive development and improved service delivery in frontier areas.
The cabinet also approved a series of policy decisions aimed at strengthening healthcare, public safety, education, urban governance, environmental conservation and employment generation. It approved HLL Lifecare Ltd., a Government of India enterprise under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, to create diagnostic infrastructure in 256 sub-centres, 82 Primary Health Centres, 25 Community Health Centres and 64 Block Public Health Units under the 15th Finance Commission Health Grants.
As part of the initiative, HLL Lifecare Ltd. was also approved to implement a Laboratory Management Information System across all health facilities in the state, including medical colleges and district hospitals, to improve laboratory services through digitalisation of supply chains, logistics and inventory management. The press statement noted that tele-radiology CT scan services implemented through HLL Lifecare Ltd. at locations including Aalo, Bomdila, Khonsa, Namsai, Tawang, Tezu, Yingkiong and Ziro have benefited nearly 12,000 patients so far. The cabinet also approved HLL Lifecare Ltd. to obtain Atomic Energy Regulatory Board certification for all general and district hospitals and community health centres to further strengthen diagnostic radiology services.
In view of increasing fire accidents and disaster response requirements, the cabinet approved the proposal to enact the Arunachal Pradesh Fire and Emergency Services Bill, 2025, replacing the existing 1991 Act. The bill will be placed before the Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly for passage. The cabinet also approved special grade promotions for Fire and Emergency Services personnel on completion of 15, 20 and 30 years of service, benefiting 142 personnel, and sanctioned the creation of 91 posts for seven sub-jails to improve prison management.
To strengthen human resources in the education sector, the cabinet approved the creation of 58 posts, including administrative, non-teaching and teaching positions, along with assistant professor posts for government model degree colleges and the introduction of new courses in select government colleges. The cabinet also approved the creation of a Directorate of Urban Local Bodies under the Department of Urban Affairs to strengthen urban local governance.
Addressing cadre stagnation, the cabinet approved a one-time relaxation of residency requirements under the Arunachal Pradesh Forest Service Rules, 2019, enabling promotions against existing vacancies. A total of 48 officers will benefit directly, while 60 frontline forest officers will benefit indirectly. The cabinet further approved recruitment rules for the Special Tiger Protection Force for Pakke, Namdapha and Kamlang Tiger Reserves, paving the way for recruitment to 324 posts of Special Tiger Guards.
The cabinet reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to good governance, public service delivery, employment generation, environmental protection and inclusive development for the people of Arunachal Pradesh. (ANI)