Congratulating the medical fraternity on the Doctor’s Day, Minister for Health and Medical Education Bali Bhagat Friday said that this special day is an ideal opportunity to acknowledge the significant role doctors play in our lives. He said being a doctor is not merely a profession rather it is a commitment to serve mankind with highest level of skill and precision.The Minister was speaking at the maiden function organised at Government Medical College Jammu to mark the Doctor’s Day celebrations.Mr Bhagat exhorted that this day also holds significance for the members of the fraternity as it provides them with an opportunity to invigorate and rededicate themselves to the practice of medicine. “Doctor's Day is a ideal time for doctors to reflect and realize the responsibility they bear and redirect themselves onto a noble path of healing and mitigating the sufferings of mankind ” stressed the Minister and asked doctors to stay committed to their goal and work with zeal and enthusiasm.Pertinent to mention here that the Doctor’s Day is celebrated throughout the nation to pay tributes to legendary physician and the second Chief Minister of West Bengal, Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy on his birth anniversary. He was not only a physician but a philanthropist and a political leader par excellence.During the programme held today, the Minister felicitated 12 former Principals of GMC, Jammu. Dr NS Pathania, founder of the college was honoured with Dr BC Roy life time achievement award for his distinguished services rendered in the field of Medicine. Besides, the Minister also honoured the incumbent Principal Prof. Dr. Zahid Geelani and Nodal Officers of Kathua Medical College and Doda Medical College.
Highlighting the role of senior doctors to guide and teach the students, the Minister said that synergised efforts and dedication is required to bring about a positive change in the health sector in the state, adding that, our skilled medical professionals can take our state to the zenith in health sector with their honest commitment and zeal .Reiterating the commitment of the government to provide better medicare facilities to the people in all the areas, the Minister said that concerted steps are afoot to augment the infrastructure and a proper mechanism will be adopted to rationalise the available manpower under the new transfer policy to ensure that the health institutes in the far flung areas are adequately staffed.He said that the health department in the state is working towards better medicare facilities, excellent diagnostics and especially early diagnosis of cancer wherein the state is pursuing the matter of procuring the PET Scan for SKIMS, Srinagar and GMC, Jammu as it is a matter of great concern that there has been 28% rise in cancer patients in the state. He said that apart from tertiary cancer institutes both at GMC, Jammu and SKIMS, Srinagar, three more sanctions have been accorded to Cancer Centres at Kupwara, Udhampur and Kishtwar to provide better facilities to the patients.The Minister directed the hospital administration to use human resource available with the hospital in a productive manner for better output in successful treatment of the patients.He also asked the hospital authorities to ensure optimum utilization of funds available under NHM and submit utilization certificate at the earliest.He stressed on the need to enlarge the emergency facility in the hospital and directed the administration of GMC to submit proposal for the same. He also sought cooperation from the fraternity in making GMC one of the premier medical institutions not in the state but throughout the country.Among others present on the occasion were former Principals, Nodal officers of upcoming medical colleges, Head of various departments and students.