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| Sham lauds health employees for achieving top slot in primary healthcare | | Says maintaining position poses a challenge | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
Jammu Nov 24- Appreciating the professionalism of doctors and other employees of health department for fair implementation of the innovative measures initiated by the Government during the past two years, the Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Mr. Sham Lal Sharma has said that Jammu and Kashmir State has been able to achieve top most position in the primary healthcare through their coordinated efforts.
He said it is a matter of pride for the entire State and stressed the need for keeping it up through sustained and sincere efforts. He said achieving distinction in any field is most pleasant achievement but maintaining it poses a challenge.
While briefing the media persons about the achievements of the health department registered over the last two years here today, the Minister said that introduction of professional audit by the Government really worked and everyone understood his responsibility resulting in the major success. He said some more reforms in the health department were on cards, which he claimed would further improve the medicare facilities across the State.
According priority to the health sector, the Government enhanced allocation from Rs. 203 crore to Rs. 293 crore during 2009-10 which accounts for almost 44 per cent hike, he said and added that the department procured 15 X-ray plants, 14 Anesthesia Machines and 31 Dental units to augment infrastructure of various health institutions in the rural area. Besides, Government also appointed 188 B-Grade specialists in various disciplines, 264 Assistant Surgeons, 99 ISM doctors and 70 Drug Inspectors.
In addition, he said as many as 128 doctors and 659 paramedics were also engaged on contractual basis under NRHM to improve rural healthcare. Besides, 2279 posts including 37 A-Grade Specialists, 281 B-Grade Specialists, 305 Assistant Surgeons and 17 Dental Surgeons have been created for various health institutions.
Also, 125 ambulances have been procured under NRHM for various institutions, Sham said, adding that Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) has been resumed since January 2009, Telemedicine facilities have been upgraded at 5 places including Kupwara, Poonch, Kathua, Leh and Kargil. The ISRO has agreed to extend the facility at 5 more district hospitals shortly, Mr. Sharma maintained.
In order to further improve the mental health services in the State, 8 doctors have been deputed to NIMHANS Bangalore for undergoing one year training in Psychiatry. A total of 48112 patients were also attended at Integrated Counseling and Testing Centers set up by the Health Department at various places across the State.
The Minister further revealed that Department has also showcased the strength and potential of ISM and Homoeopathy and AROGYA fair was organized at Srinagar in collaboration with the Department of AYUSH, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India wherein more than 50,000 people visited. To upgrade the ISM Department, the Government has submitted a proposal of Rs. 39 crore to the AYUSH, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, and Government of India for funding.
The Minister said that 20 Blood Banks including 3 Blood Component Separation Facility Units were also strengthened. 68 Voluntary Blood Donation Camps were organized during the past two years. He mentioned that 1000 AWW/ASHAs were trained/sensitized about HIV/AIDS, 160 high/high secondary schools covered under Adolescent Education Programme besides 22 Red Ribbon Clubs have been established in different colleges.
Under new reformative measures initiated by the Government, the remuneration of contractual doctors engaged under NRHM has been enhanced from Rs. 8000 to Rs. 16000 per month and Rs. 9000 for paramedics. Similarly, special incentives of Rs. 8000 and Rs. 4000 has been sanctioned for doctors who are serving in areas notified categories like difficult and inaccessible areas. A Task Force under the chairmanship of Chief Minister has been set up to examine the issues of health sector reforms in a comprehensive manner. The Task Force has eminent experts of national repute as its Members, the Minister said.
The Minister further stated that for the first time in the history of Jammu and Kashmir, the Government has finalized its own Drug Policy. With the vigorous persuasion by the State Government, the Centre has announced one Ayurvedic College for Jammu and a Unani College for Kashmir. The Government has also planned to install 11 CT Scan Machines in District Hospitals during the current financial year.
Two machines have already been installed one at Gandhi Nagar Hospital and another at District Hospital, Kathua. Besides the Government has also kept provision for procurement of 25 Critical Care Ambulances before March next for being deployed one each at district headquarters and on National Highway to tackle the emergencies, the Minister asserted.
Mr. Sharma said that Government has already introduced the performance award for the doctors and paramedics to acknowledge their hard work and a Committee of the experts. finalizes the names of such incumbents. This has been done to encourage the hardworking and honest people in the department.
The Minister stressed upon the doctors to put in extra efforts to further improve things on ground. Mr. Sharma also sought people’s support in achieving the excellence in the health institutions in maintaining cleanliness and proper upkeep of government property. Government’s job is to create assets, it is the people who have to protect it by treating it their own property, he maintained.
Those present on the occasion included, Director Family Welfare, Dr. Rakesh Khajuria, Director Health Services, Jammu, Dr. Ashok Sharma, Mission Director, NRHM, Dr. Yash Paul Sharma, Controller, Drugs and Food Control Organization, Mr. Satish Gupta and all CMOs/Medical Superintendents and BMOs of Jammu division.
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