Advisor to Governor, K Vijay Kumar who is holding the charge of Health department reviewed the progress made so far on establishments of five new Medical Colleges in the state at a meeting convened, here today.The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary Health & Medical Education Atal Dulloo, Commissioner Secretary R&B Khurshid Ahmed, Managing Director JKPCC M. Raju, Chief Engineer PWD, Director Finance Health department, Director (Coordination) New Medical Colleges, Principals of New Medical Colleges and other concerned senior officers.The five new medical colleges are coming up at Rajouri, Doda, Kathua, Anantnag and Baramulla.The chair was informed that to review the progress on works at these colleges, a team from Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (GoI) is on state’s visit and conducting inspections at these new Medical Colleges.While reviewing the status of works initiated for the establishment of these new health institutions, the Advisor was briefed about the progress made so far with regard to the construction of main building of college, hostels, residential quarters and other facilities for the students and the faculty.College wise status report of works done, to be undertaken along with the deadlines were discussed in detail. It was decided that all the construction works need to be executed in a speedy manner so as to ensure meeting all the deadlines finalized during the meeting.The Advisor asked for expediting the works in double shift where progress is registered low.
He further asked for executing the works in full swing on all five colleges and ensure their completion as per given targets. It was informed that the main building of these colleges should be get ready by June 2020 in any case.With regard to the make-shift arrangements for starting the first batch of students in the next year, the concerned Principal Medical College apprised the meeting about the arrangements and other necessary works including repair, renovation works that are undergoing and to be undertaken.College wise makeshift arrangements were discussed and the executing agencies were accordingly directed to speed up the works ensuring their completion well in time to allow the new batch to start their course at these Medical Colleges.The meeting also discussed up-gradation of District Hospitals to 300 beded hospital as per Medical Council of India (MCI) norms. Detailed deliberations were held on measures need to be taken to up-grade these existing health institutions to match with the set norms of MCI. Requirement of necessary equipments/machinery at these hospitals was also deliberated upon and concerned Principals were asked to compile a list of equipments that are necessary for such type of health institutions.Director (Coordination) was directed to conducts regular visit at all these places and ensure that all related works are moving at good pace.
Regarding another important aspect related to the establishment of New Medical Colleges, up-gradation of 300 beded District Hospitals to 500 bed capacity DH’s was also presented before the meeting for the discussion and with a view to review the progress on this.It was informed that the tender has been floated for Rajouri while as process of finalizing the drawing and other related technical reports are underway for other places.Chief Engineer PWD was asked to be in regular touch with Principal Medical Colleges so that tendering process can be completed at the earliest.Later during the meeting, other important aspects related to the establishment of these Medical Colleges including road connectivity, beautification, landscaping, recruitment of faculty, nurses, para-medicals, technicians were also discussed briefly.Principal Secretary Health informed the Advisor regarding the details of recruitment that has to be done for making these colleges functional next year. The Advisor asked him to take up the matter with Chairman JKPSC and JKSSB so that recruitment process is expedited for putting in necessary human resource at these colleges.Addressing the meeting, the Advisor said that the establishment of these new Medical Colleges is very important for the state government and focused attention need to be accorded for timely completion of all related works.K Vijay Kumar said that the deadlines committed during the meeting for the completion of works should not be missed in any case for which close supervision and monitoring is required at every level. He hoped that the necessary infrastructure along with required human resource would be put in place well in time for starting the first batch in these Medical Colleges.