GUWAHATI : Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday chaired a comprehensive review meeting of the Health and Family Welfare Department at Lok Sewa Bhawan in Guwahati, with a focus on strengthening healthcare infrastructure and improving access to quality medical services across Assam.

One of the key issues discussed during the meeting was the state government’s target of reducing Assam’s Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) below the national average by 2029.

The Chief Minister reviewed ongoing maternal and child healthcare initiatives and directed officials to intensify efforts aimed at improving healthcare outcomes throughout the state.

Special emphasis was also placed on enhancing healthcare services in tea garden areas. Sarma instructed officials to strengthen Tea Garden Hospitals through the deployment of MBBS doctors and by upgrading medical infrastructure and facilities to improve healthcare access for tea garden workers and their families.

The meeting also reviewed the status of healthcare manpower across the state, including discussions on streamlining promotions and addressing workforce shortages in the health sector to improve efficiency and service delivery.

Officials further reviewed initiatives related to vaccination drives, expansion of free diagnostic services and strengthening of the state’s 108 emergency ambulance network, particularly in rural and remote areas.

The Chief Minister also assessed the progress of several flagship health programmes, including Snehsparsha for children with congenital heart diseases, TB Mukta Bharat, and the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), which aims to digitise healthcare records and improve integration of health services.

Officials said the review meeting formed part of the Assam government’s broader strategy to strengthen public healthcare infrastructure, reduce mortality rates and ensure accessible healthcare services for vulnerable and underserved communities across the state.