Health Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil, while addressing media persons here today, stated that the remarks made by a senior BJP leader on Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar were derogatory and unacceptable. He added that a leader of such stature should maintain the dignity of his post, use decent words and keep public sentiments in mind while speaking about Dr. Ambedkar.
He termed Dr. Ambedkar "the pride of India" and said that the people of the country would neither accept nor ever forget the indecent statements made against him. The Health Minister said that this is not only an insult to Dr. Ambedkar, but also an insult to the Constitution of India. Such thinking makes it clear that the BJP leaders consider themselves above the Constitution.
Advising the Union Minister, he said that the conduct of a person holding a constitutional post should also be in accordance and one should exercise restraint and caution while expressing thoughts. Speaking on the health services in the state, Dr. Shandil said that the state government is opening 'Adarsh Swasthya Sansthans' in a total of 69 places including one each in 67 assembly constituencies of the state and two in Lahaul & Spiti district.
So far, 49 model health institutions have been opened in the state and four to six specialist doctors have been appointed in each institution. He said that all these institutions are being equipped with world-class state-of-the-art health equipments along with adequate staff. He informed that thousands of posts of specialist doctors, nurses and other paramedical staff are being filled in health institutions, including 200 posts of doctors.
Soon this recruitment process will be completed and the appointment of these doctors and paramedical staff will further strengthen the health services across the state, including the remotest areas. The Health Minister added that in order to ensure the availability of free medicine in all the hospitals, the government would establish a seamless procurement and distribution process.
He further stated that just like AIIMS, PGI and other global level health institutions, the state government would provide modern health equipment in the hospitals of the state and would ensure the standard ratio of doctors and nurses for each patient. This would eliminate the need for the people of the state to go out for treatment as they would be given quality health services near their doorsteps.
The Health Minister said that the process of purchasing modern machinery for health institutions is underway and within 6 to 8 months these would be available in all hospitals. PET scan facility has been made available in the IGMC Shimla and Dr. Rajendra Prasad Medical College Tanda, and as a result cancer patients are getting tested in the state unlike earlier when they had to out of the state making the whole process expensive and tiresome.
He added that a center of excellence cancer Institute was being established in Hamirpur and a cancer hospital building and trauma center in IGMC Shimla have been dedicated to the people. The state government is providing free treatment and medicines to cancer patients of the state.