Minister of State for Health,Shabir Ahmad Khan today inaugurated newly constructed Primary Health Center building at Tahab, Pulwama completed at accost of Rs 1.49 crore in a record period. The new hospital building with 20 indoor bed capacity having outpatient rooms, X-ray, dental, laboratory sections besides operation theater, dressing room and drug store facilities. Member Legislative Assembly, Rajpora, Syed Bashir Ahmad, Director Health Services, Kashmir, Mr. Saleem-ur-Rehman, Mission Director, NRHM, Dr. Yash Pal Sharma, Additional District Development Commissioner, Pulwama and Chief Medical officer, Pulwama were present on the occasion.Addressing a largely attended public gathering, after inauguration of PHC building, at Tahab, the Minister re-affirmed the government’s determination to provide better health care facilities to the people particularly in far-off and remote villages. He said under a comprehensive health expansion programme scores of health centers in the villages, sub-districts and districts have been completed while many are in the process of completion.“Besides upgrading and modernizing the health institutions, a mega expansion programme is in offing to ensure health coverage and better medicare facilities to the people across the State”, said Shabir Khan, adding that health sector is receiving focused attention during last five years. The Health Minister asked the Health Department to ensure better facilities to the patients in government hospitals and utilize modern equipment’s. He said specialists, doctors and para-medicos have been placed in government health institutions besides equipment’s so that better service delivery is ensured.
Elaborating the benefits of NRHM, the Health Minister said that under Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) and Janani Shishu Suraksha Karikram (JSSK), the Government has extended more incentives to the pregnant women to facilitate their safe institutional deliveries. “Now onward every pregnant woman right from the day first of her conceiving the baby and till the delivery, the Government will bear all expenses on her treatment, including transportation from her home to hospital and back besides medication. He said that a new scheme RBSK is being launched in all districts under which the ailing children of the age group of 0-18 years would get free treatment in health institutions.
Responding to the demands of the locals, the Minister said that X-ray Machine would be provided to the hospital. He also announced one additional Ambulance for the hospital. He said additional staff would be also engaged under NRHM for the hospital.
MLA, Syed Bashir in his address hailed the efforts of Health Minister for upgrading healthcare facilities in the district and urged for release of additional funds for completion of on-going other health projects in the district.Meanwhile the Minister also visited CHC, Chatergam and took stock of the functioning of the hospital. He fined Rs 1000 to Block Medical Officer of the hospital for mismanagement and indiscipline and Rs 500 to Electrician of the hospital for improper maintenance of electric works in the hospital.Interacting with the locals, the Minister directed the concerned officer to ensure timely construction of CHC building.The Minister also visited District hospital, Pulwama. He went round each section of the hospital, enquired welfare of the patients and directed concerned for providing hassle free healthcare facilities to the patients.