Jammu : Minister for Health & Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, SakeenaItooWednesday visited the SMGS Hospital, Shalamar and Chest Diseases Hospital, Bakshi Nagar, Jammu were she inaugurated key healthcare and academic infrastructure projects aimed at further strengthening medical services and facilities for the people.
At SMGS Hospital Shalamar, Health Minister inaugurated a newly installed 160-Multi Slice CT Scan machine, which is expected to significantly enhance the diagnostic capabilities of the hospital and facilitate timely and advanced medical investigations for patients. The CT Scan Machine has been installed of Rs 8.30 crore.
Speaking on the occasion, SakeenaItoo said that the newly inaugurated CT Scan machine would greatly benefit the general public who cannot afford the facilities of private hospitals and reduce the rush of other hospitals besides, it will help to control refferal system.
The Minister said that the Government is committed to providing better, accessible and quality healthcare facilities to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He emphasized that strengthening of medical infrastructure and upgrading hospital facilities remain key priorities of the Government.
SakeenaItoo said that, in response to the long-pending demand of the people of Jammu and adjoining areas for a CT Scan machine, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had issued special directions to address the requirement. With the installation of the machine, the longstanding demand has finally been fulfilled, providing a much-needed diagnostic facility to the people.
The Minster said that a MRI Machine which has already been sanctioned for SMGS Hospital to install within next two or three months period. She also urged the health authorities to ensure proper cleanliness and hygiene across the hospital premises for the convenience and well-being of patients and attendants.
MLA, Jammu East, Yudhvir Sethi also accompanied the Minister during the visit of SMGS Hospital.
At Chest Diseases Hospital Jammu, the Minister also inaugurated the New Academic Complex at Chest Diseases Hospital, Bakshi Nagar. The project is completed at a cost of Rs 8. 93 crore.
The newly inaugurated medical and academic facilities were dedicated to the students and the public at large, reflecting the Government’s commitment to strengthening healthcare and medical education infrastructure and ensuring that modern facilities are made available for the benefit of the people.
The Minister reiterated that the Government would continue to undertake measures for upgrading healthcare infrastructure and providing modern medical facilities to the public, with the objective of ensuring better, efficient and patient-centric healthcare services across Jammu and Kashmir.
MLA Jammu West, Arvind Gupta and MLA Jammu East, Yudhvir Sethi, also accompanied the Minister and expressed their gratitude to him for fulfilling the demands of the people. They also expressed hope that the government would consider and address all pending issues related to healthcare facilities on a priority basis.
Principal, GMC Jammu, Dr. Ashutosh Gupta, briefed the Minister about the infrastructural development activities at GMC Jammu and its associated hospitals, as well as the patient care services, through a Power Point presentation.
The Minister also asked the media fraternity to highlight any issues faced by patients in the hospital only after verifying the facts, as spreading unverified information can create a wrong narrative in the public domain and harm the reputation of doctors and hospital staff.
The Minister appreciated GMC Jammu for securing 105th rank across the country, stating that this achievement was possible due to the dedicated services rendered by the doctors. He also stressed the need for doctors and paramedical staff to ensure accountability in providing quality patient care.
Director Health Services, Jammu Dr Poonam Sethi; Medical Superintendent, SMGS Hospital, Jammu, Prof, (Dr) Dara Singh; Medical Superintendent, Chest Diseases Hospital, Jammu, Dr. Rakesh Kumar Sharma; Deputy Director, Health Services (Hqr) Jammu, Harbaksh Singh; CMO Jammu, Dr Narinder Bhutyal Heads of Departments (HoDs); faculty members; Medical Superintendents; officers and staff of GMC Jammu and other Associated Hospitals of Jammu were present during the Ministers visits.
