The State’s premier and heritage health institution, Shri Maharaja Ghulab Singh (SMGS) Hospital today completed its 74 glorious years in public service. The foundation of this one of the oldest institutions in Jammu and Kashmir was laid by the then Maharaja Hari Singh on May 6, 1943 and since then, the Hospital acts as lifeline of state’s healthcare.The management of SMGS celebrated the 77th foundation day by organizing an impressive function at its Auditorium with the Minister for Health & Medical Education, Bali Bhagat as Chief Guest and MLA (East), Rajesh Gupta as Guest of honor.On the occasion, the Minister and other dignitaries paid floral tributes to late Maharaja by garlanding his statue, while a special Pooja was also held to mark the day.Prominent among those present on the occasion included, Commissioner/Secretary Health & Medical Education, Dr. Pawan Kotwal, Principal GMC, Dr. Sunanda Raina, Principal Dental College, Dr. Romesh Singh, Secretary Dharmarth Trust, Ajay Singh Jamwal, HoDs, Ghansham Dev Gupta, Dr. Sunil Kotwal, Rekha Harish Daing, Medical Superintendents of GMC and SMGS, Dr. Romesh Gupta, Dr. Dara Singh, Deputy Director, ISM, Dr. Davinder Gupta, DMS, Dr. Minakshi Kotwal and large number of doctors and para-medics.
Speaking on the occasion, the health Minister lauded the visionary and invaluable contribution of late Maharaja for the development of Jammu and Kashmir State and said that the infrastructure and other important assets created during his regime are still serving their objectives.The Minister called upon the doctors and para-medics to perform their duties with missionary zeal to serve the poor and needy. He said doctors are lucky as the God has given them an opportunity to serve the mankind and they must come up to the expectations of the people and maintain the dignity of this noble profession. He assured fullest support from the Government for improvement of infrastructure and other facilities for the smooth functioning of the services in the hospital. He also expressed happiness on the recent health indicators in the state which are better than the national level. He complimented the doctors and para-medics for the achievements and called for maintaining the same spirit in future as well.To bring more efficiency in the functioning, the Minister stressed the need for changing the public perception by introducing new and patient-friendly initiatives and reforms. He recalled that Government has recently introduced some new measures for the benefit of the patients, like auditing of patients’ prescription, writing generic drugs with capital letters, introduction of new colored bed sheets to be replaced on daily basis, color coding of government medicines, provision of free medicines in hospitals and outsourcing of sanitation in health institutions to the Sulabh International.
These initiatives will go a long way in improving the overall health services on ground, said the Minister.The Minister urged the heads of the institutions to clear their stand by holding press conferences and other means like social media to remove misgivings about the working of government hospitals. He said at times small issues occurring in the hospitals, which have nothing to do with the doctors or hospital authorities are flared up without ascertaining the facts.The Minister also gave mementoes to the guests and medicos on the occasion.Earlier, the Minister went around various units of the SMGS and took stock of their functioning. He also inaugurated blood donation camp, specially organized for the benefits of Thalassemia patients in the hospital blood bank. He also dedicated to the public some new services in the SMGS. MLA Rajesh Gupta in his brief address highlighted the services in SMGS and announced one Ambulance and some essential equipments for the ENT Unit out of his CDF. He also pitched for having an MRI Machine in SMGS as the patients have to move to GMC for availing the service.Medical Superintendent, Dr. Dara Singh listed the achievements of the hospital and future plans to further improvement of healthcare services in the hospital.