Minister for Health and Medical Education, ARI and Trainings, Choudhary Lal Singh today said that Government has taken various initiatives to improve the healthcare facilities in every hospital across the State in the last eight months.This was stated by the Minister while addressing a large gathering of medicos and paramedics at a felicitation function organised by Health and Medical Education department at Government Medical College (GMC) auditorium here today over Jammu and Kashmir being declared as top State in Health Sector in the country.Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare Asiea Naqash, MLA Daleep Singh Parihar, Secretary Health and Medical Education Dr, Mandeep K Bhandari, Principal GMC Dr. Ghanshyam Dev, Director General ISM Dr. Abdul Kabir Dar, Controller Drugs and Food organisation Mr. Nazir Wani, Managing Direrctor JK Medical Supplies Corporation Dr. Yash Pal Sharma, Directors, HoDs of various departments of GMC, CMOs, BMOs of across the Jammu region were present on the occasion.
Choudhary Lal Singh said that in eight months, Health sector in the State has witnessed discernible improvement enabling it to improve from Number 19 to top position in the country. He said that a proposal is under active consideration of the Government to facilitate people with free diagnostic tests in all Government hospitals.The Minister asked the medical fraternity to follow medical ethics code while delivering healthcare facilities to the people. He said focus was being laid on strengthening the existing health institutions including laboratories and emergency wards in rural and far-off pockets of the State to ensure best possible healthcare facilities to the people.In a major achievement under health sector, Choudhary Lal Singh informed that the State has bagged first position in India Today Group’s survey for best managed States for healthcare in the country. He said India Today survey ranked Jammu and Kashmir as best managed State in the healthcare all over the country.
Jammu and Kashmir jumped 14 spots to reach No. 1 this year as compared to 14th spot last year.The Minister informed that Punjab and Mizoram finished second and third behind Jammu and Kashmir. He hailed the entire staff of Health and Medical Education Department including officers and officials for making Jammu and Kashmir No. 1 State in the country in healthcare.The Minister said that Government is making all out efforts to increase manpower and infrastructural facilities in hospitals of the State. He said Government has okayed a proposal for opening of new 430 sub-centres in rural and remote areas of the State, adding that these centres would be opened with all latest facilities.On the occasion, various speakers gave valuable suggestions and new ideas for further improving the healthcare facilities in Government hospitals. Speaking on the occasion, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, MsAsiea Naqash appreciated the dedication shown by the all the staff members due to which state has bagged top position in health sector. She said further improvement is needed and we shall have to work harder to maintain the tempo and achieve greater standards in providing best Medicare facilities to the people of the State.Earlier, a cultural bonanza was present by the students of GMC which was highly applauded by the audience in the auditorium.