During the final leg of his 3 day tour of Kathua District, Minister for Health & Medical Education, Bali Bhagat today visited SDH Billawar and listened to the demands raised before him to augment the services provided by the medical department at remote and hilly areas.While inspecting 100 bedded under construction building of the hospital, the Minister directed the executing agency to expedite the construction work on the remaining work of the project at the earliest so that the new building can be dedicated to the people for better health care facilities.During his visit to SDH Billawar, several deputations met Bali Bhagat and apprised him of various requirements which mainly comprises of Digital X-Ray machine, Generator, Child Specialist, one additional surgeon, Blood Bank and Doctor having specialization in ENT and orthopaedics. 3 PHCs were also demanded for augmenting medical infra in rural areas to provide cost effective and better medi-care facilities.The Minister gave them patient hearing and said that efforts will be made to provide district level facilities at SDH Billawar. To stop the referral of patients, the minister informed that a Blood bank will be established at SDH to cater any exigency besides he sanctioned Digital X-Ray machine for the hospital. He further informed that Dental section of the hospital will also get revamped as per latest requirements.
Responding to the demand of Trauma Hospital at Billawar, Bhagat said that it is high time to establish one Trauma Hospital at Billawar as it will provide round the clock emergency services to the people of remote and hilly areas in case of any emergency or accident and it will also bring down the number of referral cases. He further assured that the demand of Trauma Hospital will be mooted in the next proposal.The Minister announced upgradation of Dispensary at village Dhannu Parole to Primary Health Centre (PHC) and also disclosed that Hospital Building at Macchedi will be completed soon including residence for Doctors. To meet up the demand of Doctors, Bali Bhagat said that 15 posts of Homeopathy Doctors besides 437 Allopathic Doctors are already referred to the concerned recruitment agencies and after proper recruitment process these Doctors will get a chance to provide specialized medical services to the patients.Later, the Minister visited SDH Hiranagar and interacted with the patients, medical staff and inquired about various facilities being provided to the patients besides listened to their demands also.Interacting with the Management of the staff and prominent persons present on the occasion, Bhagat said that Hiranagar hospital is located near National Highway which is prone to accidents that`s why the Department is pursuing earnestly the proposal of constructing 100 bedded hospital at Hiranagar. He asked Director Health, Jammu to arrange one Orthopedic Doctor for SDH Hiranagar along with latest Dental chair.“Doctor’s job is worship, noble adding that they should go beyond making diagnosis and should communicate sympathetically with the patients”, Minister advised the Doctors.MLA Hiranagar, Kuldeep Raj, Director Health Services Jammu, CMO, ADC Billawar, Senior Officers of district administration and prominent citizens were present on the occasion.