Mir Farhat
![Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad addressing a gathering after laying foundation stone of 50 bedded Ayush Hospital at Harwan on Saturday. -Excelsior/Amin War](http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/page332.jpg)
SRINAGAR, Sept 21: Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad today said the Centre Government has accorded topmost priority to streamline AYUSH under main health care delivery system.
“Efforts are being made for providing the best healthcare facilities under AYUSH in rural and urban areas as well. Since people are showing much interest in this traditional medicine, the Government is also increasing its expenditure on it to encourage its growth,” Azad said after laying the foundation stone of 50-bedded AYUSH hospital at Harwan.
The Union Minister also appreciated the services of Indian System of Medicine (ISM) doctors for serving in far-flung and inaccessible areas of the state.
Reiterating Union Govern-ment’s resolve to make all the new health schemes operational shortly with the support of State Government, Azad enumerated some significant steps taken for family welfare of both women and child.
The two storeyed 50-bedded AYUSH Integrated Hospital, costing about Rs. 751.76 lakh will be completed in September 2015 and the hospital will have rooms for consultation chambers, dispensing units, pathology and clinical labs, complete diagnostic area having x-rays and U.S.G units, complete operation theatre with allied facilities and 4-10 bedded wards with 10 private rooms and 4 resident private rooms and nurses’ station.
The former JK Chief Minister said Allopathic and Indian System of Medi-cine(ISM), Unani, Home-opathic, Sidha, Panch Karma, Swaripa and Yoga like systems of treatment have been approved by the Parliament and separate colleges have been opened for teaching these subjects, moreover the Union Health Ministry is regulating them by providing adequate funds to concerned States.
Apprising the people about the pilot project under which only two hospitals have been approved by the Union Government in the first phase, Azad said that under National Rural Health Mission during last 7 years, 121 District Hospitals, Sub-District Hosp-itals, Community Health Centres and PHCs were set up in the State where 5000 doctors, nurses and para-medicos were posted. He said out of 425 ambulances sanctioned State has purchased 129 ambulances for various hospitals. He said two maternity hospitals at a cost of Rs. 65 crore each were set up both in Srinagar and Jammu.
Speaking about the scheme Jannie Shishu Suraksha Karikaram, he said that a woman who conceives a child is entitled to free treatment, free transport, free tests plus Rs. 1400 incentives on giving birth in Government hospital. Upto 45 after delivery, the women will continue to receive the same facilities from the Government hospital.
The Union Minister and other dignitaries which include Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand, Minister for Haj and Auqaf Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed, Minister for Medical Education and Sports, Taj Mohi-ud Din, Minister of State for Health, Shabir Ahmad Khan, MLAs, Minister for Cooperative, Dr. Manohar Lal, Mohammad Yaseen Shah and Khem Lata Wakhloo later released an ISM Logo on the occasion.
Minister of State for Health, Shabir Ahmad Khan while addressing the function said that this hospital on completion will cater to the needs of not only Srinagar district but also other adjoining areas of the Valley.
Shabir appealed Azad for increasing consolidated salary of NRHM doctors from Rs. 4000 and Rs. 8000 to 15000.
Secretary Health and Medical Education Gazanfar Hussain, Director ISM, Dr. Abdul Kabir Dar, Medical Superintendent Super Speciality Hospital Srinagar, Dr. Amin Wani were present on the occasion.