opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3635 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-21
Subject: Reverse Migration due to Policy Change
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Parshottambhai Rupala

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-3635

## ANSWERED ON- 21/03/2025

## REVERSE MIGRATION DUE TO POLICY CHANGE

3635. SHRI PARSHOTTAMBHAI RUPALA

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state :-

- (a) whether there is any reverse Migration due to changes in policy of countries like the United States and Canada;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

- (c)   the   specific   action   taken/proposed   to   be   taken   by   the Government to mitigate hardship of our citizens in such countries;
- (d) whether our embassy is providing legal guidance and support to the affected citizens due to such policy change;
- (e) if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) whether there is any plan to re-settle them back home in the country, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a   to   d)   No  trends   point   towards   reverse   migration   from   either Canada or the U.S. to India as a result of the recent migrationrelated changes in policy / approaches in these countries.

The Government of India accords the highest priority to the safety, security and well-being of Indian nationals in foreign countries. Our Missions and Consulates take up all relevant issues pertaining to safety/security and welfare of Indian nationals with the concerned authorities, at every possible opportunity.

It   is   the   sovereign   right   of   States   to   determine   their   national migration policy and their prerogative to govern migration within their respective jurisdictions. Depending on their national situations, policies, priorities and requirements for entry, residence and work, States may fine tune their respective migration policies.

The Government of India is constantly engaged in discussions on consular   and   migration-related   matters   with   partner   countries through diplomatic channels, including on streamlining avenues for legal migration and mobility of Indian students and professionals, and facilitating   short-term   tourist   and   business   travel  for   Indian citizens.  India   has   also   signed   Migration   &   Mobility   Partnership Agreements (MMPAs) and Labour Mobility Agreements (LMAs) to establish a robust framework for strengthening regular migration

pathways and to promote people-to-people ties, prevent irregular migration, and encourage skilled mobility. Assistance to Indians living abroad is provided only as per extant rules. Government of India's initiatives to enhance and support livelihood opportunities are available to all Indian citizens, including to those Indian citizens who are returning from abroad. *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3632 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-21
Subject: Availability of Hearse Vans in Maharashtra
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Smt. Dhanorkar Pratibha Suresh

## GOVERNMENT OFINDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3632 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.03.2025

## AVAILABILITY OF HEARSE VANS IN MAHARASHTRA

## †3632. SMT. DHANORKAR PRATIBHA SURESH:

Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether hearse vans are not available for transportation of dead bodies of deceased persons in Maharashtra including Chandrapur district and if so, the details thereof; (b) whether the Government is likely to provide hearse vans in the State of Maharashtra including Chandrapur district and if so, the details thereof, district-wise and tehsil-wise; and (c) the time period by which hearse vans is likely to be provided across all districts of Maharashtra?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

(a) to (c): The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare provides technical and financial support to the States/UTs to strengthen the public healthcare system based on the proposals received in the form of Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs) under National Health Mission. Government of India provides approval for the proposal in the form of Record of Proceedings (RoPs) as per norms & available resources.

As informed by Government of Maharashtra, hearse vans were not available in the State of Maharashtra. However, Public Health Department, Government of Maharashtra has purchased 132 hearse vans including 5 for Chandrapur district.

Under National Ambulance Service, 3058 Advanced Life Support (ALS), 15475 Basic Life Support (BLS), 3864 Patient Transport Vehicle (PTV), 19 Boat Ambulances, and 81 Bike Emergency Response Vehicles are supported under NHM in the country including 233 ALS, 704 BLS, 3274 PTV, 3 Boat Ambulances and 30 Bike Emergency Response Vehicles in Maharashtra.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3631 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-21
Subject: Kidney, Cancer and Liver Diseases
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Dileshwar Kamait

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3631 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21 st MARCH, 2025

## KIDNEY, CANCER AND LIVER DISEASES

## 3631. SHRI DILESHWAR KAMAIT:

Will the MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the increased presence of fluoride and harmful chemical in drinking water polluted by floods in Supaul, Madhepura, Saharsa, Jhanjharpur and Araria districts bordering Koshi region of Bihar is becoming a major center of cancer kidney and liver diseases;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the preventive measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV )

(a) and (b): As informed by State Government of Bihar, the identified fluoride affected districts in Bihar are Aurangabad, Banka, Bhagalpur, Gaya, Jamui, Kaimur, Munger, Nalanda, Nawada, Rohtas and Sheikhpura. 15 Districts in Bihar are highly flood affected as per Bihar State Disaster Management Authority. The flood affected districts namely Supaul, Madehpura, Saharsa, Jhanjharpur and Araria have not been declared as fluoride affected districts.

(c): Water being a State subject, the responsibility of planning, approval, implementation, operation & maintenance of drinking water supply schemes, including those under the Jal Jeevan Mission, is vested with respective State/UT Governments. The Union Ministry of Jal Shakti supports the States by providing technical and financial assistance through its programmes.

Fluoride enters the body through various food items, environmental substance, drinking water etc. An excessive amount of fluoride in drinking water exposes people to risks of crippling skeletal and/ or dental fluorosis.

The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) is implemented in partnership with States, including Bihar, to supply potable tap water in adequate quantity, prescribed quality and on regular and long-term basis to rural households.

All habitations affected by chemical contaminants including fluoride in rural area of the country, including Bihar is provided safe drinking water free from Fluoride contamination.

There are robust network of 2,182 drinking water quality testing laboratories at different levels viz. State, Regional, District, sub-division and/ or block level in the country. States/UTs have been advised to carry out testing of water quality on a regular basis and take remedial action wherever necessary to ensure that the water supplied to households is of prescribed quality.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3626 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-21
Subject: New AIIMS in Punjab
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRY OFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 3626 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21/03/2025

## NEWAIIMSINPUNJAB

## †3626. SHRI SUKHJINDER SINGH RANDHAWA.

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state

- (a) whether the Government proposes to formulate any scheme to establish a new AIIMS in Punjab on the lines of AIIMS, Delhi;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

(a) to (c) Under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY), till date establishment of 22 All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has been approved in various States/UTs in the country including one AIIMS at Bathinda in Punjab, which is functional. In the current phase of PMSSY, there is no proposal to establish a new AIIMS in Punjab.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3624 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-21
Subject: Distribution and Consumption of Fortified Rice
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Sasikanth Senthil

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3624 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21 ST MARCH, 2025

## DISTRIBUTION ANDCONSUMPTIONOFFORTIFIEDRICE

## 3624. SHRI SASIKANTH SENTHIL:

Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has any data of the distribution and consumption of fortified rice across the country, including any reported health effects, particularly among vulnerable populations and if so, the details thereof;

- (b) whether the Government is aware of the side effects of fortified rice, particularly in tribal communities and if so, the details thereof alongwith the manner in which consumption of such rice is responding to the concerns raised regarding health risks such as iron toxicity;
- (c) the measures implemented by the Government to prevent the risk of excess iron intake from fortified rice, which could lead to potential health issues such as hypertension, diabetes and oxidative stress;
- (d) the manner in which the Government ensures that fortified rice is properly labeled, including clear health warnings for at-risk populations, as per the FSSAI regulations particularly for individuals with conditions like thalassemia or iron overload; and

(e) whether there are any other labeling or health-related requirements being enforced in this context, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

(a) to (c): Department of Food and Public Distribution has informed that during the current Financial year (2024-25), 388.45 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT) of fortified rice has been distributed/ lifted till 17.03.2025 under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS). Also, Rice Fortification involves the addition of Fortified Rice Kernels (FRK) enriched with micronutrients (Iron, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12) to regular Rice (Custom Milled Rice), as per the standards prescribed by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has informed that there is limited evidence of transient adverse effects among participants consuming iron fortified rice. Another notable finding is that considering the level of iron fortification in rice in India, the total iron intake through fortified rice is less than 0.59 mg/kg/day for any age group, which is well within the normal daily iron requirement.

(d) & (e): FSSAI has notified Food Safety and Standards (Fortification of Foods) Regulations, 2018 which includes the labelling provisions for fortified food. In case of any violations, penal action is taken against the defaulting Food Business Operators as per the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, Rules and Regulations.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3619 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-21
Subject: Balika Samridhi Yojana
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Shri Bhumare Sandipanrao Asaram, Dr. Shivaji Bandappa Kalge, Smt. Delkar Kalaben Mohanbhai

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3619

TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.03.2025

## BALIKA SAMRIDHI YOJANA

- +3619. SHRI BHUMARE SANDIPANRAO ASARAM: DR. SHIVAJI BANDAPPA KALGE: SMT. DELKAR KALABEN MOHANBHAI:

Will the Minister of Women and Child Development be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of girls benefited under the Balika Samridhi Yojana in Sambhaji Nagar district in Maharashtra and UT of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, State, district and yearwise;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to include girl students of classes 10 to 12 of Maharashtra and Dadra and Nagar Haveli under the said scheme and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI SAVITRI THAKUR)

(a) to (c) Balika Samridhi Yojana has been discontinued from Eleventh Plan onwards and at present the scheme is not in existence either as a Central Scheme or a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3616 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-21
Subject: Waterways Infrastructure Programme
Ministry: PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
Asked by: Shri Arun Kumar Sagar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3616

ANSWERED ON 21.03.2025

## WATERWAYS INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMME

3616. SHRI ARUN KUMAR SAGAR:

## Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state: पȅन , पोत पįरवहन और जलमागŊ मंũी

(a) whether funds have been allocated under the waterways infrastructure programme during the last three years; and

(b) if so, the details thereof, year-wise/waterway-wise along with the utilization thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS (SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)

(a)&(b) Yes.  Details of expenditure (utilization) incurred on development/augmentation of  National  Waterways,  waterway-wise  during  last  three  financial  years is  given  in Annexure.

Annexure

The details of expenditure (utilization)  of fund  on  National  Waterways  (NWs) during the last three years are as under: ( Rs. in Crore)

| Sl. No.   | National Waterways                                                                                                                                  |   2021-22 |   2022-23 |   2023-24 |
|-----------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
| 1.        | NW-1 (Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly river system) in U.P., Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal                                                              |    317.43 |    405.48 |    666.64 |
| 2.        | NW-3 (West Coast Canal) in Kerala including NW-8 (Alappuzha- Changanassery Canal) & NW-9 (Alappuzha- Kottayam - Athirampuzha Canal) in Kerala       |     10.83 |      3.82 |      4.78 |
| 3.        | NW-4(Krishna River) in Andhra Pradesh                                                                                                               |      3.08 |      0.18 |      0.67 |
| 4.        | NW-5 (Brahmani-Kharsua-Dhamra Rivers- East Coast Canal and Matai river and Mahanadi delta rivers system) in Odisha                                  |      2.58 |      0.76 |     26.53 |
| 5.        | NW-27 (Cumberjua River), NW-68 (Mandovi River), NW-111 (Zuari River) in Goa & NW-86 (Rupnarayan River), NW- 97 (Sunderbans Waterway) in West Bengal |     13.47 |      4.36 |     11.25 |
| 6.        | NW-2 (Brahmaputra River) & NW-16 (Barak River) in Assam                                                                                             |     78.04 |    100.18 |    261.76 |
|           | Total                                                                                                                                               |    425.43 |    514.78 |    971.63 |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3615 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-21
Subject: High Charges for US Gold Card Scheme for Immigrants
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Jai Prakash

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-3615

## ANSWERED ON- 21/03/2025

## HIGH CHARGES FOR US GOLD CARD SCHEME FOR IMMIGRANTS

3615. SHRI JAI PRAKASH

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state :-

(a) whether the Government has examined the pros and cons of the US President Donald Trump's announcement about raising all time high charges for 'Gold Card' aspirants especially for its 'premium version' offering immigrants a pathway to citizenship; and (b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a & b) On February 25, 2025, President Donald J. Trump announced that the U.S. intends to sell 'Gold Cards' that will provide the recipient with U.S. lawful permanent residency privileges as  well as  a path to U.S. citizenship in exchange for a $5 million fee. The President also

made a reference to the 'Gold Cards' scheme in his address to a joint session   of   the   U.S.   Congress   on   5th   March   2025. However,   the guidelines for the scheme are yet to be published.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3612 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-21
Subject: Coastal Shipping Operations in Odisha
Ministry: PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
Asked by: Smt. Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3612

ANSWERED ON 21.03.2025

## COASTAL SHIPPING OPERATIONS IN ODISHA

3612.   SMT. SANGEETA KUMARI SINGH DEO:

Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state: पȅन , पोत पįरवहन और जलमागŊ मंũी

- (a) the  details  of coastal  shipping operations in  the State  of Odisha  and their contribution  to economic  growth during the  last three  financial years, year-wise;
- (b) the total volume of cargo transported via coastal shipping from Odisha's ports during the last three financial years, year-wise;
- (c) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to incentivize Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)  to utilize  coastal shipping for logistics;  and
- (d) whether any new port connectivity projects have been planned to facilitate coastal trade in the said State?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS (SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)

- (a) &  (b)  The  details  of  coastal  cargo  transported  in  the  State  of  Odisha  during  the  last three financial years are as under:

## (Cargo volume in MMT)

| Financial Year   |   2021-22 |   2022-23 |   2023-24 |
|------------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
| Dhamara Port     |      2.23 |      2.93 |      4.53 |
| Gopalpur Port    |      0.52 |      0.3  |      0.59 |
| Paradip Port     |     36.75 |     51.77 |     55.42 |
| Total            |     39.5  |     55    |     60.54 |

(c) Government of Odisha have issued Odisha Policy and Odisha logistics Policy in 2022 for augmentation of cargo handling capacity including port connectivity infrastructure, coastal shipping and inland waterways by incentivizing development of logistics infrastructure of the State for all sectors including SME's.

(d) Yes, steps have  been  taken  and  following projects for  implementation by the Government to augment port connectivity and facilitate coastal trade in Odisha:

-  National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has taken up upgradation and widening the 4 Lane Paradip-Chandikhole Section of NH-53 to 8 Lane at a cost of Rs. 3,747 Crore.
-  Indian Railways has taken implementation for the quadrupling of Railway line between Jaradapa-Budhapank-Salegaon  at  a  cost  of  Rs.  2,113  Crore  for  faster  movement  of coal  from  Talcher  coalfield  and  coal  blocks  at  Jarapada  area  to  Paradip  for  coastal movement to power plants in Southern states.
-  Development of Ports at Subarnarekha and Astaranga including their connectivity has been undertaken by the state of Government of Orissa.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3609 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-21
Subject: Establishment of  AIIMS in Manipur
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Dr. Angomcha Bimol Akoijam

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRY OFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 3609 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21/03/2025

## ESTABLISHMENT OF AIIMS IN MANIPUR

## 3609. DR. ANGOMCHA BIMOL AKOIJAM

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether there is any proposal or consideration to establish an All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Manipur, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether there is any plan to upgrade the Regional Institutes of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal into an AIIMS; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof along with the proposed timeline for implementation?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

(a) to (c) Under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY), till date establishment of 22 All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has been approved in various States/UTs in the country including one AIIMS in the north east region at Guwahati (Assam), which is functional. In the current phase of PMSSY, there is no proposal for establishment of a new AIIMS in Manipur. Further, new AIIMS are set up as Institutes of National Importance under AIIMS Act. All AIIMS are greenfield projects and there is no provision to upgrade an existing Institute into AIIMS under the Act.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3603 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-21
Subject: Global Hepatitis Report 2024
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Zia Ur Rehman

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3603 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.03.2025

## GLOBALHEPATITIS REPORT 2024

## 3603 SHRI ZIA UR REHMAN:

Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has taken cognizance of the World Health Organization's (WHO) Global Hepatitis Report, 2024 which states that India ranks second globally in Hepatitis B and C cases, with 3.5 crore infections and if so, the details thereof; and

- (b) the preventive steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government keeping in mind that this ranking highlights the significant health challenges posed by Hepatitis and the need for public health interventions?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SMT ANUPRIYAPATEL)

- (a) The data of WHO Global Health Report 2024 is based on modelling and is not the actual surveillance data. As per the 2023 Seroprevalence report generated under the National Program for Surveillance of Viral Hepatitis under National Viral Hepatitis Control Program (NVHCP) , National Health Mission (NHM), the seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C is found to be 0.85% (95% CI 0.85-0.86) and 0.29% (95% CI 0.29 - 0.30) respectively. Accordingly, the estimated number of persons likely to be infected with Hepatitis B and C is 1.38 crores.
- (b) The Government of India (GoI) is implementing the National Viral Hepatitis Control Program (NVHCP) since 2018 under the aegis of National Health Mission (NHM), offering diagnostic and treatment services for Hepatitis C, A and E. The scope of the program was expanded to include diagnosis and management of Hepatitis B in 2019. Hepatitis B is a vaccine preventable disease and the program provides for administration of Hepatitis B birth dose vaccine & Hepatitis B Immunoglobulin to the babies born to Hepatitis B positive mothers.

The NVHCP envisages prevention of Viral Hepatitis through awareness generation and behaviour change communication. All diagnostic and treatment services are provided free of cost under NVHCP at the designated Government Health Facilities.

*****