Excelsior Correspondent
![Minister for Health Sham Lal Sharma inaugurating the NRHM Sammelan on Saturday.](http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/page5-118-150x150.jpg)
JAMMU, Sept 15: Minister for Health and Family Welfare, 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 that Government was initiating all efforts to develop every part of the State by providing improved amenities, adding that there was no constraint of funds under development sectors.
Speaking after inaugurating one-day National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) Sammelan organised by the block Akhnoor and Chowki Choura Akhnoor, the Minister said during last three and half years the Government has initiated several revolutionary steps to upgrade the overall health scenario and now the change is visible an ground and well acknowledged by the common masses. He said medical is a noble profession and all those associated with it should render their services with missionary zeal.
Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Sanjeev Verma, Director Horticulture, J N Sharma, Director Floriculture, K K Sharma, Commissioner, Drug & Controller, Satish Gupta, Deputy Director (Hqr), Baldev Raj Sharma, SDM Akhnoor, CMO Jammu, Dr Javed, BMOs Akhnoor and Chwoki Choura, ASHAs & Anganwadi Workers, all sectoral officers, sarpanchs and panchs and prominent citizens were also present on the occasion.
Mr Sham appreciated the efforts of each section of the employees of Health Department for improving the health services, adding that the State secured the top slot in the primary healthcare, because of the hard work put in by every individual employee. He renewed his appeal to doctors and para-medicos to put in their best efforts to maintain the distinguished position.
Maintaining that ASHAs are the vital tool for improving the ground level situation, the Minister said that these ground level functionaries have played great role in containing the infant mortality rate in the State bringing it far down then the rest of the country. He said Government has recognized the contribution of the ASHAs and tried to improve their job profile and provide suitable monitory benefits in different forms.
Listing the achievements , Mr Sham said that with the coming up of super speciality hospitals at Jammu and Srinagar, up-gradation of the Akhnoor, Gandhinagar and Sarwal Hospitals has opened a new phase in the secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities in the State.
On the occasion, the Minister felicitated 2 ASHA workers, 3 FMPHW, one Lab Tech and Block (M&E) Officer, of the Akhnoor Tehsil. He also distributed mementos and certificates among the employees for their good performers in various fields.
The Minister also announced to enhance the special development funds being provided to panchayats from Rs.5000 to Rs.10000.