![Minister for Health, Ch Lal Singh garlanding the bust of Maharaja Gulab Singh at Jammu on Wednesday. Minister for Health, Ch Lal Singh garlanding the bust of Maharaja Gulab Singh at Jammu on Wednesday.](https://cdndailyexcelsior.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/page512.jpg)
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 6: Minister for Health and Medical Education, ARI and Trainings, Ch Lal Singh today said the Government is making all out efforts to provide round-the-clock healthcare facilities to the people, adding that in this regard Government has initiated revolutionary steps to upgrade the overall health scenario in the State and the change is visible on the ground.
The Minister was speaking at the 75th Foundation Day of Shri Maharaja Gulab Singh (SMGS) hospital, here today.
MLA East Rajesh Gupta, MLC Ashok Khajuria, Principal GMC Dr. Ghanshyam Dev Gupta, Director Health Services Dr. Baljeet Singh Pathania, Medical Superintendent SMGS Dr. Dara Singh besides HoDs of various departments and paramedical staff members were present on the occasion.
Paying tributes to Shri Maharaja Gulab Singh, the Minister said that contribution of Maharaja for welfare and development of the State would be recognized and remembered by generations to come. He described him as a visionary, brave and great human being who provided justice to all and treated the public as his own family members.
Ch Lal Singh exhorted upon the people to take inspiration from the great personalities who have left indelible mark in every sphere of activity by dint of their selfless services. He said the glorious heritage of the State stands testimony to the fact that the people lived in a spirit of togetherness and harmony. “This spirit is to be imbibed in the younger generation so that Jammu and Kashmir becomes a great legacy of the ancestors who environed it as an abode of peace and tranquility,” he added.
Ch Lal Singh informed that Government is on the job to upgrade four district hospitals of Jammu and Srinagar and one district hospital of Leh at par with Government Medical Colleges so that the patients rush in the main city hospitals is reduced. He said instructions have been issued to the hospital functionaries to avoid referral cases and treat the patients in the respective hospitals. He said all the hospitals of the rural pockets and remote areas have been equipped with all infrastructural facilities hospitals with adequate staff and medicines.
The Minister advocated for curbing the menace of female feticide, saying the situation was alarming and society must cooperate in dealing with this serious issue. “Only Government efforts are not adequate to tackle this social issue, but entire society is responsible for the situation and all right thinking people including social and religious organizations have to put their efforts to keep a check on this menace,” he asserted.
Ch Lal Singh also dedicated fully air conditioned Pediatrics Emergency Ward at SMGS hospital and interacted with the patients and their attendants.
Responding to the demand of Medicos and Paramedicos, the Minister announced 10 ACs for auditorium of SMGS.
Earlier, 75th Foundation Day of Shri Maharaja Gulab Singh (SMGS) Hospital, Jammu, was celebrated by garlanding the bust of Maharaja Gulab Singh in the hospital premises.
Later, the Minister distributed mementos to medicos and para medicos for their outstanding contribution in their respective fields and hoped that they would continue to render their services to the hospital with dedication for improvement of patient care service in future also.