*Expresses dismay over unhygienic conditions
Excelsior Correspondent
![Minister for Health, Ch Lal Singh during his visit to Lal Ded Hospital on Thursday.](http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/page5-213-300x245.jpg)
SRINAGAR, May 7: Minister for Health and Medical Education, ARI and Trainings Choudhary Lal Singh today conducted surprise visit of Lal Ded Hospital and took stock of the medicare facilities being provided to the patients.
Director General Indian System of Medicines Dr Abdul Kabir Dar, Medical Superintendent of Lal Ded Hospital Dr Mushtaq Ahmed accompanied the Minister.
During his visit of Lal Ded hospital, Ch Lal Singh also inspected all the wards of the hospital and interacted with the patients and enquired their well being.
Taking serious note of the poor sanitation in and around the hospital, the Minister asked the concerned authorities to immediately depute a team of sweepers to sanitize the toilet blocks, wards and area around the hospital. He stressed for regular cleanliness of the wards and corridors besides maintaining proper sanitation of the hospital.
The Minister underlined the need to start evening OPDs in order to provide additional facility to the ailing people. He also enjoined upon them to strengthen Emergency Ward by making available additional staff and other required equipment which will further improve healthcare facilities in the hospital.
Ch Lal Singh said that in order to equip all the hospitals of Kashmir region with latest diagnostic facilities and other equipment, necessary instructions have been issued to the concerned.
The Minister said that the Government is striving towards equipping all the rural areas hospitals with adequate facilities to bring them at par with the city hospitals. He said the rural healthcare facilities are being strengthened by way of providing them adequate staff, medicines and equipments like X-Ray, Ultrasound, Blood Bank, Gyne and Orthopedics facilities.
The Minister underlined the importance of mother-baby care and said that ASHA and Anganwari Workers have special role to play in creating awareness among the people about the healthcare facilities available under NRHM. He said the Government is providing adequate matching share for the successful implementation of Centrally sponsored health schemes.
The Minister asked the medicos and paramedics to redouble their efforts in providing people-friendly medicare facilities to the people, adding good performers will be awarded while those showing poor performance should be ready to face action.
Ch Lal Singh further said that Government has prepared a list of doctors who are on unauthorized absence from duties and they will be dismissed from service as per Government Service rules.
The Minister also directed the UEED and R&B Department to gear up their men and machinery to complete the ongoing development works in the Lal Ded hospital within stipulated time.