Chief Minister visits the 92nd Lifeline Express Project at Palghar

Mr. Vilasrao Deshmukh, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, visited the Closing ceremony of the 92nd Lifeline Express project in Palghar on May 24 th. This was the first time ever that a Chief Minister has visited this town. The CM arrived at 10 am by helicopter and was greeted by Mr. A. H. Tobaccowala, who together with Col. R.S. Vishwen escorted him on a tour of the train. The CM remarked that the Lifeline Express hospital had five-star facilities.

In his hard-hitting address, Mr. A. H. Tobaccowala emphasised that the state of the rural hospitals left much to be desired. "While one hospital lacks a surgeon, another does not even have an anaesthetist." He called for the need to implement the objectives of the National Rural Health Mission saying that about Rs.800 crore has been allotted to the State to improve medical facilities, build more Primary Health Centres and appoint Ashas (Accredited Social Health Activists) etc. and that Impact would fill in the gaps, with priority being given to 100% Immunisation including Rubella and Hepatitus B.

In response the CM admitted the lacunae in the health system, "Health is a prime issue and the biggest responsibility of the state.. and, we have failed." He urged the Collector to identify suitable land to station the existing LLE so that it could continue functioning as a hospital to serve the tribal poor. Acting immediately the Collector came to the podium and announced that land for Impact had been identified at Kelve (in Palghar Block) and at Dapcheri (in Dahanu Block).

The attendance by 30 members of the press and TV was unprecedented for a function such as this. A gathering of about 400 persons present at the function enjoyed the vigourous, rhythmic and colourful Tarpa dance performed by the Warli tribals. Amongst the attendees were Mr. S.S. Zende, Collector Thane, Mr. Muzzaffar Hussain, MLA, Mrs. Archana Tyagi, Police Commissioner, (Thane Rural), Dr. Pramod Chapalgaonkar, Civil Surgeon Thane, Dr. Asaram Khade, District Health Officer, Thane and Mr. C. P. Verma, Area Manager (Valsad) Railways. Those present included the Sponsors of the 92 nd LLE project including the Jeevan Jyot Charitable Trust and the TIS-WISH Foundation. A large gathering of Rotarians from Mumbai headed by President Harry Singh Arora was present.

The venue was beautifully decorated with flowers, plants and a rock garden. "Rainbow of Hope" an eight minute-film made by Shukla Das on the Community Health Initiative (CHI) was shown to the Chief Minister and all the guests in the 4 th coach and appreciated by one and all.

After the dignitaries left Mr. Tobaccowala hosted a lunch for all the staff of Impact India, (now grown in number to 55). He thanked them for their dedication to Impact and stated that there was now much more to be achieved in the CHI.