More health reforms in offing: Sham

Excelsior Correspondent

RAJOURI, Apr 20 : Minister for Health, Horticulture & Floriculture, Sham Lal Sharma today said that more reforms will be brought in the Health Department to improve the healthcare facilities across the State. He said during the past over three years, the Government has initiated several revolutionary steps to upgrade the overall health scenario and now the change is visible on ground and well acknowledged by the common masses.
Addressing a one-day NRHM sammelan, organized by the District Health Society – NRHM, Rajouri, here, the Minister renewed his appeal to doctors and para-medics to put in their best efforts to maintain the distinguished position. He said medical is the noble profession and everyone associated with this must maintain the rich ethics of the profession and serve the patients with missionary zeal.
Maintaining that ASHAs are the vital tool for improving the ground level situation, the Minister said that these ground level functionaries have played greater role in containing the mother/infant mortality rate, which is better than rest of the country. He said present coalition Government has recognized the contribution of the ASHAs and tried to improve their job profile and also sanctioned suitable monitory benefits in different forms.
Specifically speaking about the health scenario in Rajouri, the Minister said that Rajouri District hospital has been re-modeled and all diagnostic facilities have been put in place. He said CT scan will be fully functional within few days as the concerned doctors will be posted. He also assured to immediately fill the vacancies of Medical Superintendent, ENT and Surgeon specialists in the District hospital. He also assured to fill all gaps in the district at the earliest.
Meanwhile, he assured to fill up all vacant posts in the district on fast-track basis. He said recognizing the tough terrain and difficult conditions; the Central Government has declared Poonch and Rajouri as high focused districts, making them eligible for special funding for upgradation of health facilities.
MLA Drahal, Ch. Zulfkar Ali, in his address, demanded revival of all such health institutions which were running on internal arrangements to improve facilities in the remote areas. He also demanded establishment of research center in the district to detect the cause of cancer which is spreading fast in the district.