By Ali Faiz , Rajouri/Jammu : Minister of State for Health, 04 Shabir Ahmad Khan today laid foundation of staff quarters and boundary wall of District Hospital Complex, Rajouri. He also inaugurated Intensive Care Unit (ICU), besides Lift of Indoor patients Block in the Hospital.
The construction work on the hospital boundary wall and staff quarters would be completed at the total estimated cost of Rs.7.67 crore. The newly installed lift involved a cost of Rs.60 lakh and the ICU was equipped with latest diagnostic machinery costing Rs.1 crore for quality patient care in the hospital.
District Development Commissioner, Rajouri, DIG Police, Rajouri-Poonch, Mission Director, NRHM and Director Health Services, Jammu, senior officers of the Department were present on the occasion.
Addressing a public meeting on the occasion, the Minister re-affirmed the government’s determination to provide better health facilities to the people particularly in far-off and remote villages. He said under a comprehensive and gigantic health consolidation and expansion programme scores of health centers in the villages, sub-districts and districts have been completed and many are in the process of completion.
“Besides upgrading and modernizing the health institutions, a mega expansion programme is in offing to ensure health coverage and better medicare facilities to the people across the State”, he said and added that health sector has been tagged as one of the most important sectors by the government in the development policy. The Minister said that availability of modern health facilities at the district, sub district and block levels would not only expand the orbit of health coverage for people but reduce the pressure on the hospitals in cities.
The Minister said that during last over one year several reformative initiatives have been taken to improve healthcare facilities and extend these to the doorsteps of the people. He said a number of hospital buildings have been completed in rural and hilly areas while as concerted efforts are being also given to complete all ongoing projects well in time adding that in this regard there is no dearth of funds, as the Centre has doubled NRHM budget from Rs. 234 crore to Rs. 436 crore for the State during current fiscal.
The Minister said the shortage of doctors in far flung and hilly areas would be overcome soon as the process for recruitment of 769 doctors through Public Service Commission is at final stage adding that these doctors would be posted in remote and hilly areas.
The Minister said that 676 new health centers would be established in uncovered areas of the State soon adding that in this regard the necessary process is under way and concerned authorities have been directed to give due consideration to all deserving areas while opening these Centers
He said that a new health initiative “Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram” would be launched soon in the State adding that in this regard all necessary formalities have been completed and engagement of over 1000 medicos and para-medicos has been made under NRHM. He said the initiative is to provide comprehensive healthcare and improve the quality of life of children through early detection of birth defects, diseases, deficiencies, development delays including disability.
The Minister reiterated that like other District Hospitals, the Rajouri DH would be made a modal hospital by providing all requisite diagnostic equipments adding that work on new hospital complex is already apace at an estimated cost of Rs 36 crore against which Rs 33 crore stand expended. He said that the Out Patient Block has been completed while as the construction work of Indoor Patients Block would be completed by end of this fiscal.
The Minister asked the Health Department to ensure better facilities to the patients in government hospitals and utilize modern equipment’s provided to the health institutions to extend modern treatment to the patients. He said specialists, doctors and para-medics have been placed in government health institutions besides equipment’s so that better service delivery is ensured.
Meanwhile, the Minister inaugurated additional accommodation at government higher secondary school, Fatipur, which was constructed at a cost of Rs 25 lakh.
Addressing a public meeting, there, he said that creation of new administrative units in the State is a landmark decision, adding that the move will benefit every individual of Rajouri District especially those living in far-off and hilly areas. He said the decision will go a long way in ensuring proper implementation of the developmental plans framed for the villages coming under the jurisdiction of new administrative units.
The Minister said the initiative will greatly help the people of far-off places in getting their administrative matters sorted out at their door steps.
The Minister while greeting the people called upon them to continue their whole hearted support to the government for making the State a developed one.