Minister for Health and Medical Education, Choudhary Lal Singh today said that Government hospitals are being equipped and strengthened with all modern facilities with discernible improvement in the healthcare delivery. He said health centres in rural and far-off areas have also been augmented with better facilities and staff.The Minister was addressing a high level meeting of health department officers at Government Hospital Gandhinagar, here.Secretary Health and Medical Education Dr. Mandeep K Bhandari, Director Health Services Dr. Baljeet Singh Pathania, Mission Director NHM Dr. Mohan Singh, Director Family Welfare Dr. Baldev Raj Sharma besides other senior officers of Health Department were present on the occasion.The Minister asked healthcare functionaries to maintain sanctity of the noble profession and adopt patient-friendly approach. He also called upon them to perform their duties with missionary zeal and devotion so that patients get better treatment in government hospitals. He also asked them to ensure implementation of government sponsored health schemes in letter and spirit so that benefits of these schemes reach to the deserving and needy patients.
Ch Lal Singh said as per record available, admissions in Government hospitals has seen steady increase in the past 8 months as people see improved facilities in hospitals and better delivery of health services.The Minister asked the health authorities to utilize the plan funds provided by the Government to raise the infrastructural facilities in the hospitals. He asked for preparing Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for upgradation and improvement of all the healthcare institutions in Jammu region. He also asked the officers to ensure hygienic environment and cleanliness in and around the health institutions.Ch Lal Singh asked CMOs and BMOs to regularly carry out visits to health institutions especially in rural and far-off areas and submit weekly report to the higher authorities. He also directed them to submit list of vacancies available in hospitals under their charge within a week so that these posts are referred to the Public Service Commission and Service Selections Board for early recruitment.
The Minister directed medicos and paramedics to remain present within the jurisdiction of 13 km from the hospital so that their services could be utilized in case of any medical emergency. He also informed that Government has also provided residential quarter facility to the doctors and paramedical staff in the newly constructed hospital buildings for their convenience.During the meeting Director Health Services and Mission Director NHM gave detailed overview of the functioning of health sector in Jammu division through power-point presentations. They also put forth various suggestions for improving the overall healthcare setup.