Minister for Health and Medical Education Bali Bhagat today chaired a meeting of senior functionaries of the department to discuss the preparations in connection with inauguration of Govt. Ayurvedic Medical College, Jammu.The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary Dr. Pawan Kotwal, Director ISM Kabir Dar, Principal, Govt Medical College Jammu Sunanda Raina, Director Health Services Gurjeet Singh, Mission Director Dr Mohan Singh, Medical Superintendent Government Ayurvedic Hospital Dr. Taran Singh, Deputy Director ISM Dr. Davinder K. Gupta, Nodal Officer Govt Ayurvedic Hospital Dr. Narinder Sharma besides concerned officers of various departments.During the meeting, the Minister said initially, the Ayurvedic College would start functioning from Ayurvedic Hospital, Indira Chowk and the college would operate from Akhnoor where the building for it is under construction and expected to be completed by next year.The meeting was informed that the Union AYUSH Minister will inaugurate the prestigious institute next month.Threadbare discussions were held on various vital issues pertaining to infrastructure for Principal office, class rooms, pharmacy, library, purchase of vehicles and USG machine, 36-seater bus for students, renovation of college building, hiring of building for boys and girls hostel and others. Bali Bhagat also appointed Dr Davinder Gupta as Nodal Officer to execute all inaugural preparations.The Minister was briefed that 48 students have taken admission in BAMS Course till date for the current session. He was further informed that the hospital has been upgraded to 60 beds.The Minister directed to start six new Ayurvedic Specialised OPDs namely Medicine, Surgery, ENT, Pediatrics, Gynae & Obstetrics and Panchkarma from Monday in Government Ayurvedic Hospital, and Associated Hospital, Indira Chowk for the convenience of the patients as consultants have already been appointed by the Government.The Minister stressed upon the concerned functionaries to give wide publicity about the functioning of OPDs so that patients get proper treatment. He further directed the concerned to perform Kshar Sutra (Surgery) procedure in ano-rectal region at Associated Hospital of Ayurvedic College thrice a week & in every district at least twice a month.