‘UT’s healthcare saw drastic changes since 2014’
Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, Dec 5: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today said the Union Territory of J&K has the highest budgetary allocation of over 5% of the total budget for the healthcare system even as over Rs 7000 cr are currently being spent for various healthcare infrastructure projects across the UT.
In his address on the occasion of the 39th Annual Day of SKIMS, Soura via video link, Sinha, while listing out the achievements of the Govt in the field of health care in J&K, also lauded the premier healthcare institution of J&K for its persistence and hard work during the two waves of the pandemic. Click here to watch video
He said that for the development of healthcare infrastructure in J&K, at least Rs 1456 cr have been kept for the current financial year, which he said is the 5% of the total budget, while as Rs 7200 cr more is being spent and 94 healthcare infrastructure projects in J&K stand completed.
Sinha said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also sanctioned 10 new nursing colleges for the UT and that J&K has now joined the developed regions of the country in terms of healthcare infrastructure and services. “…keeping that in view, we have also announced a new healthcare investment policy which will further boost the healthcare infrastructure,” he said.
The LG said that there has been a great change in the medical education in the UT as well and said that the Govt has been able to increase the medical seats to over 1880 seats while the number of MBBS seats have been increased to 1100.
He said that since 2014, the vital indicators in terms of healthcare have also improved in J&K and that as per the National Health Survey, J&K has improved on Neonatal Mortality Rate which has now come down to 9 including that of Child Mortal Rate which has also witnessed a great improvement.
Manoj Sinha on the occasion also said that SKIMS, Soura has performed exceptionally well during the COVID pandemic and that the premier healthcare has made its name in the country.
“While J&K did well during the pandemic, the SKIMS has earned the fame for its patient care across the country. The Institute has played a key role in J&K’s fight against the COVID-19; the UT has performed exceptionally well during the pandemic and that the administration with help of the healthcare institutions was able to put in place the necessary infrastructure for effective patient care well in time” Sinha said.
About the oxygen generation capacity of the UT, Sinha said that last year, J&K had the overall capacity of generating just 14 thousand LPM of Oxygen, “and today, the same has been increased to over 1 lakh LPM,” he said.
The LG also underlined the threat of the new COVID variant, Omicron, and said that people are turning complacent with time which needs to be addressed through outreach to the general public via social media and other effective platforms.
“The danger is not over yet. The new variant of COVID-19 has now surfaced and with that, the countries have started to seal their borders, and we in J&K need to put in all efforts to deal with the emerging danger,” he said.
Highlighting the role of doctors and other healthcare experts with regard to the vaccination and addressing the vaccine hesitancy earlier, the LG asked them to take to social media and aware people regarding the new danger and the need for taking necessary precautions.
About the vaccination campaign in J&K, LG said that 100% population has been given the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and that around 80% of the population has received their second dose while adding that the UT administration is hoping to soon complete the COVID vaccination.
On the occasion, the LG e-inaugurated several projects at SKIMS which include Robotic Lab, Digital Mammography, Neurosciences ICU, Pulmonary ICU, Obstetrics & Gynae ICU, Geriatric Medicine Ward, New ESSD, OPD complex of State Cancer Institute, Waiting Hall for Emergency Medicine and few more.
Others who were present during the Annual Day function include LG’s Advisor, R.R. Bhatnagar, Director SKIMS, Dr A.G. Ahangar—who was conferred with the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’, Director AIIMS, New Delhi, Dr Randeep Guleria—who also delivered Sher-e-Kashmir Oration, Dr M.S. Khuroo, Dr Omar Javaid Shah, Principal SKIMS Bemina, Dr Irfan Rabbani and several others.
Dr Randeep Guleria in his talk said that it has been established that people now need to learn to live with the COVID while underlining the need for more investment in public health.
LG’s Advisor R.R. Bhatnagar in his address said that the healthcare system of J&K has seen a sea change in the last few years and that the administration is working to make sure that the third wave does not hit us
“There has been a lot of investment in the healthcare system and with the coming of 2 new AIIMS and 7 medical colleges the J&K’s healthcare system will be able to provide better and effective services to the people,” he said.
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