Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Mar 19: Sending warning signals to doctors serving in Jammu and Srinagar cities for long, the Health Minister Ch Lal Singh today said that all the over staying medicos will have to go in the rural areas and serve the people there as most of the District, Sub District hospitals besides Primary Health Centers (PHCs) and dispensaries are suffering due to shortage of doctors.
While responding to the questions of Ali Mohd Dar and PDP legislator Firdous Tak in the Upper House today, the Health and Medical Education Minister said, “Ab Jugarh system Nahi Chalega. All those managing choice postings as per their convenience by using their influence will not work at all now. The doctors who are managing postings in Jammu or Srinagar or other major towns and overstating in different hospitals will have to go to the rural areas to serve the people. Some of them sitting in the GMC Hospitals Jammu and Srinagar and working as Registrars for long will also be shunted out in far off places,” the Minister maintained.
“If anybody tried to bring influence they will be responsible themselves. I know many hospitals in Kishtwar, Doda, Ramban, Poonch, Rajouri and other far flung areas of Kashmir are facing shortage of doctors and para-medical staff. What happened in the past forget it but now things will improve and you will see the results within shortest possible time,” the Minister maintained.
Mr Tak pointed out that there is acute shortage of medical staff in Marwah, Dachhan, Paddar and Wardwan and women especially face lot of hardships for want for lady doctor. During pregnancy they are made to be brought to Kishtwar and face lot of hardships. No Gynaecologists are available in many hospitals in Chenab Valley and the Government can not escape its responsibility by saying merely that there was shortage of doctors.
As Ch Lal Singh was replying in detail, a member from Kashmir Ghulam Qadir Pardesi stood up and interrupted the minister and said that he should not beat about the bush. “Yehan Taqreer Deney Ki Zarurat Nahi hai, Minister Ko Chahiye to the point Jawab De.”
Upon this Ch Lal Singh said question was raised by PDP member and he is responding to his queries. If the member has no problem in listening to the details, what is the problem to Mr Pardesi. You need not to tell me how to respond Mr Pardesi. Better, you develop the habit of listening patiently. Your days have gone,” he maintained. Upon this some other members from opposition also stood up and objected on the remarks. The issue generated some heat, however, with the intervention of Chairman peace was restored in the House.
Responding to another question of Ali Mohd Dar, the Minister said Union Government approved Rs 447.09 crore under National Health Mission Project during 2014-15 and till February ending this financial year Rs 171.90 crore funds have been utilized, whereas, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare released only Rs 254.63 crore under the scheme. Besides this Rs 19 crore have been provided under State plan as State matching share, he added.
The member asked why hardly forty percent funds were utilised while this financial year is almost over. Why responsibility is not being fixed on the officials concerned ? The Minister said, “What happened in past forget now, I will closely monitor the working of all the wings and things will improve with the passage of time. All the funds will be properly exhausted and used for the public welfare,” he maintained.