Minister for Health and Medical Education, ARI and Trainings, Ch Lal Singh Tuesday said “We have better healthcare system in the state, which has been acknowledged by New Delhi based India Today group. If we have better, we should focus on improving it further.”The Minister stated this while addressing a jam-packed gathering of medicos at a felicitation function on Jammu and Kashmir being awarded as the State of the State’s in Health Sector in India at Government Dental College, Srinagar.The function was organized by Department of Health, Kashmir and Medical Education.Stating that committed and dedicated doctors and paramedics were the driving force and real owners of the award, Singh said that he dreams of bringing more such laurels to the State. “It’s my dream to make this state a healthy State.
There may be some lacunae in the healthcare system but we have to work like a team to improve it for better,” he said.The Minister urged doctors to work with dedication and especially treat poor patients with compassion. “I wish none of the patients suffer at any cost, instead should get best of the healthcare available. No doctor can afford to ignore patient care at the expense of private practice,” he added.Pertinently Jammu and Kashmir was conferred with the ‘Big State of the States’ (SoS) award in health sector by India Today Group at an impressive function held in New Delhi last week.The Minister said that government has taken various initiatives to improve healthcare facilities in every hospital across the State in the last eight months.Divulging details about award ceremony, 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 consideration of the Government to facilitate people with free diagnostic tests in all Government hospitals. “We don’t want our people to go out for treatment. We are paining to bring the healthcare to their door steps,” “free medical examination for patients irrespective of the economic status, “he said.
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.Speaking on the occasion, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Asiea Naqash said that the award felicitation by the national agency was just a beginning. "More and more awards are going to come in your way if you commit yourself to this sector," she said. "Health sector has been receiving lot of criticism in the past but we are committed to change the ground realities," she said.She said that the continuous visits to hospitals were done with a purpose in order to address the healthcare issues of the general public.Lauding Government of India for announcing some more healthcare institutions, including AIIMS and other centres, she said that it was a "biggest achievement" for the State.
Secretary, Health, Dr MK Bhandari, termed medicine a “pious profession.” Dr Bhandari, who himself is a medical doctor turned bureaucrat, said it was a time to celebrate and also introspect. “Treat poor patents with love and compassion,” he told the medicos.Principal, Government Dental College, Srinagar, Dr Rafiq Ahmad Pampori said that government should consider ground realities to make policy on healthcare.He said that improvement of healthcare has no limit. He said that GMC was witnessing a lot of positive change on the ground. He said GMC was soon launching a course in hospital administration as a proposal has already been submitted.Project Director, National Health Mission, Dr Mohan Singh lauded the role of government, especially Health Minister, in realizing certain dreams in the State’s health sector.MD Medical Supplies Corporation, Dr Yashpal and DG ISM, Dr Kabir also spoke on the occasion. The function was attended by Dr Saleem Ur Rehman, Principal, Government Dental College, Srinagar, Dr Riyaz Farooq Director, Family Welfare, Dr Baldev Sharma, CMOs, BMOs, Medical Superintends and other senior health official.