Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 18: Responding to the apprehensions raised by some quarters recently regarding introduction of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode in health care sector in Jammu Hospitals, Minister for Medical Education, Taj Mohi-ud-Din today said that such apprehensions are totally unfounded.
Addressing press conference here this evening, Mr. Taj said that the PPP mode in health sector was conceived to facilitate the patients and the doctors, keeping in view the fiscal and financial constraints of the State. He clarified that under the PPP mode latest and sophisticated medical equipment and machines are installed for facilitating diagnoses and treatment of disease/aliments at affordable prices prescribed by the State Government and the system stands already introduced in Kashmir. He said in Kashmir the facility/practice was positively taken, however, in Jammu some quarters have shown resentment and raised unfound hue and cry without any knowledge about the practice.
Mr. Taj said that people must know that PPP mode has emerged as successful model across the country and is already successfully operational in other States including Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and our neighbouring State Himachal Pradesh. He said due to financial constraints, the Chief Minister felt that where ever non-availability of funds will come in the way of installation of latest machinery, Government would involve private parties on terms and conditions laid down by the Government.
He said with its introduction, Government Hospitals which earlier lacked latest equipment including MRIs, Digital Radiography, high-end CT scan, PET scan, linear accelerator etc. will be able to provide 24×7 diagnostic facilities at affordable prices including further concession to patients falling under BPL/AAY category.
“No doubt, with this facility available at hospitals under PPP mode, the vested interest who are directly or indirectly associated with the business in the open market have started raising unfounded hue and cry and create unwarranted doubt about a system which is going to provide relief to the patients in need of such treatment facilities at Government approved prices”, Taj said, adding that vested interests fear loss in business as people will prefer hospitals instead of going to the open market.
Mr. Taj clarified that there is no Government money involved in the purchase and installation of medical machinery under PPP mode, adding that PPP mode diagnostic machinery would be accessible to the Doctors working in the Hospital. He said, besides this under the MoU, our medical students will also have access to this machinery as freely as they would in case of the facilities owned by the hospital.
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