Minister for Health and Medical Education, ARI and Training, Ch Lal Singh today inspected two sites measuring 200 acres land at Raika in Gandhi Nagar zone and Jagti in Nagrota tehsil for construction of AIIMS at Jammu.MLA East Mr. Rajesh Gupta, Divisional Commissioner Dr. Pawan Kotwal, Secretary Health and Medical Education Dr. Mandeep K Bhandari, District Development Commissioner, Jammu, Mr. Simrandeep Singh, Director Health Services, Jammu, Dr. Baljeet Singh Pathania, Mission Director NHM, Dr. Mohan Singh, Director Family Welfare, Dr. Baldev Raj Sharma, Controller Drugs and Food, Mr. Nazir Wani, Deputy Director Drugs and Food Organisation, Mrs. Lotika Khajuria, President Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Rakesh Gupta besides other senior officers of health and revenue departments accompanied the Minister.
After inspecting 200 acres of land identified for AIIMS at Jammu, the Minister interacted with officers and informed that Union Government has approved Rs 1900 Cr for upgradation of healthcare facilities and construction of new hospitals across the State and Rs 3000 Cr for construction of two AIIMS in Kashmir and Jammu.Lal Singh said that the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has asked the State Government to identify suitable sites for setting up of AIIMS in Jammu and Srinagar, adding that in this regard Revenue officers at both the capital cities have been directed to identify suitable land sites for construction of AIIMS.The Minister informed that Government has also okayed the proposal for establishment of five more new medical colleges in Kashmir and Jammu. He said for this purpose, medical authorities have identified suitable land under the project, adding that the construction work on projects shall be started after completion of tendering formalities.Ch Lal Singh said that government is committed to provide best healthcare facilities to the people across the State.
The Minister said that government was working on a comprehensive plan to upgrade health infrastructure in a phased manner in rural as well as remote areas of the State. He said health and medical departments has set new benchmarks during the past seven months and tangible transformation was being duly acknowledged by the masses under the sector. He said Government has evolved an effective mechanism to ensure improved healthcare facilities in the State, he said adding that, all healthcare institutions especially in rural and far-off pockets were being equipped with advanced diagnostic and other facilities besides adequate staff.Lal Singh asked medical fraternity to abide by medical ethics in delivering healthcare to the people.He said focus was being laid on strengthening existing health institutions including laboratories and emergency wards to ensure best possible healthcare.