Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 9: Minister for Health & Medical Education, Bali Bhagat today said that Government is seriously considering to set up an exclusive Bone & Joint Hospital at Jammu to cater to the needs of huge number of patients suffering from various bone & joints related issues in Jammu division.
Speaking at a function organized by the Resident Doctors Association (RDA) at Government Medical College (GMC) here today to felicitate him for meeting their long pending demand regarding removing disparity in the stipend, the Minister said that a DPR has been formulated for establishment of Bone & Joint Hospital at Jammu and shortly the Government of India will be approached for granting necessary sanction and allocating funds for the purpose.
Presently there is no such hospital in Jammu division and patients have to move to Srinagar or neighbouirng States for the specialized treatment, said the Minister.
Maintaining that the present BJP-PDP Government headed by Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti is giving topmost priority to upgrade the health infrastructure and diagnostic facilities in every nook and corner of the State, Bali said that several steps have been initiated during the past three years to improve things on ground and change is very much visible in all the health institutions.
He said major issue is the shortage of manpower (doctors and para-medics), for which the Government has formulated a comprehensive proposal to create posts of doctors and para-medics as per the patient ratio, especially in the newly established districts. He said that patient rush has increased manifold in all hospitals, but staff strength has remained the same.
He said the matter regarding creation of posts stands discussed with the Chief Minister and Finance Minister recently at a high-level meeting, and the proposal has been agreed in principle. He hoped that soon the issue of paucity of medicos shall be addressed.
Regarding the deficiencies pointed out by the Medical Council of India (MCI) in the GMC, Jammu and Srinagar in view of the increased intake seats, the Minister said that Government has already taken note of it and all necessary steps have been put in place to fulfill the gaps as per the requirements of the MCI. He said the concerned Principals have been directed to plug the gaps at the earliest.
He assured to provide necessary funds for the renovation of doctors hostels, upgradation of library, canteen, doctors rooms in hospital and other necessary facilities so that the doctors can perform their duties more efficiently.
Principal GMC, Dr. Sunanda Raina also spoke on the occasion and highlighted the achievements and problems of the College.
President Medical Teachers Association (MTA), Dr. Sunil Kotwal, General Secretary, MTA, Dr. Kailash Singh and several faculty members, HoDs, Medical Superintendents, PG Students and Registrars were present on the occasion.
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