Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Feb 23: Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon has called for strengthening of health sector in Kashmir division by filling up the vacant posts of doctors and paramedical staff in addition to completing the under-construction projects within the stipulated time.
The Divisional Commissioner today held a review meeting of Health Department where he was informed that Kashmir division has shortage of 1039 doctors and around 800 para-medical staff. Dr Samoon directed the concerned authorities to fast track the recruitment process.
The Div Com was informed that every year about 1.05 crore patients visit Government hospitals and there is dire need of staff to improve healthcare facilities. The meeting was informed that the Health Department has three critical care ambulances whereas GMC requires 7 and SKIMS two critical care ambulances. In addition to it the Health Department has 522 general ambulances. The meeting was also told that all the ambulances would be installed with GPS facility.
During the meeting, the Director SKIMS informed that Rs 12.5 crore have been spent out of the total project cost of Rs 53 crore on the construction of Maternity Hospital Soura. Two Sarais for the benefit of attendants have also been constructed at Soura by spending Rs 10.6 crore out of the total cost of Rs 11.3 crore. One of the Sarai has already been handed over to SKIMS whereas the second Sarai would be completed within couple of weeks.
The meeting was informed that the work on Rs 18 crore Psychiatric Hospital is stalled due to ban on carrying of building materials in Dal area. Divisional Commissioner directed the Vice Chairman LAWDA to provide special permission to executing agency for carrying building material so that the construction work on the Psychiatric Hospital is restarted for the benefit of the patients.
The Divisional Commissioner directed the Health Department to verify the antecedents of outside doctors working in Kashmir before allowing them practice in Valley. He called for following strict rules to avoid innocent people getting duped by possible quacks.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel