Cancer Hospital being set up at Jammu SSH

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 24: Minister In-charge Medical Education and Sports, Taj Mohi-ud-Din today said that new Cancer  Hospital with the cost of Rs 120 crore is being set up in the premises of Super Specialty Hospital at Resham Ghar in Jammu while new Super Specialty Hospital at Srinagar will be completed by July this year.
Replying to the joint question of NC members Vijay Bakaya and Dr Bashir Ahmed Veeri in the Upper House today, Mr  Taj said that new Cancer Hospital announced by the Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad for Jammu would come up in the premises of  Super Specialty Hospital (SSH). An amount of  Rs 120 crore will be spent on the project. Another Cancer Hospital sanctioned for Srinagar may be set up at SKIMS, he added.
Giving details of the SSH project Jammu Minister said an amount of Rs 120.85 crore has been spent on civil works on this hospital building and equipment till January ending 2014.  He further disclosed that faculties of Cardiology, Neurology, Neuro-Surgery, Urology, Nephrology, CTVS, Gastroenterology and Endocrinology have been introduced in the Jammu SSH.
Replying to another question, Mr Taj disclosed that 422 personnel including paramedical staff are working in the Super Specialty  Hospital Jammu against the requirement of 819.  There is short fall of 50  faculty members, 34 Registrars, one Medical Superintendent and 137 paramedical staff. He said posts falling under direct quota have been referred to the selection agencies, whereas, vacant ones are also being catered by way of engagement on academic arrangement basis in terms of provision of SRO 384 of 2009.
Mr Bakaya pointed out that people are being mislead with the notion that Super Specialty Hospital has been set up on the pattern of AIIMS and it is separate than GMC but now same staff is being shifted there creating confusion and  doubt in the minds of the people. Naresh Gupta said that wider publicity was given before setting up this hospital that it was being set up on AIIMS pattern and patients need to not go outside the State, the minister should clarify it.  G Q Pardesi, Jahangir Mir and Rafiq Shah said that many top J&K doctors  were working outside, why Government not take their services. The minister said  there was acute shortage of staff and efforts were made to make it functional. Super Specialists are needed to run the faculty and there are some DM degree holders in GMC therefore, they have been shifted there. The doctors from outside are not prepared to come because in Government hospitals they are offered pay as per set rules. He said we are paying less salary as per our grades but they are getting higher wages in private hospital. Now we have decided to amend rules and offer some higher salary so as to get their services.  Regarding encroachment on some Government land at SKIMS, the minister said that necessary measures have been taken to check it and fencing has been raised. He also claimed that Oncology department already existed in GMC Hospital Jammu and now a full fledged Cancer Hospital is coming up soon.

Follow our WhatsApp channel