*Showkat Ganaie stages walk-out
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 11: Minister for Roads & Buildings Naeem Akhter today said that the upgrading of hospitals in newly created districts have been brought under the development plan and all the required facilities would be made available in these health institutions.
While intervening during reply to the question of NC member Showkat Ganaie on Health Department, Naeem said earlier there was no financial backup for the upgrading of the health institutions of newly created districts. New districts were created but no budgetary provision was kept for up-gradation of such institutions. Similar was the case with the Degree colleges. He said same was the position in Handwara, Kulgam and Ganderbal hospitals but they were also upgraded.
The Minister further said that the Government has taken several measures to strengthen the infrastructure in health institutions of the State. He said that SDH Shopian would also be equipped with latest equipment and other allied facilities.
Ganaie had sought information regarding position of medicos and paramedical staff and availability of diagnostic facilities in SDH Shopian.
Later replying to the main question, the Minister of State for Health and Medical Education Asiea Naqash informed that hospital has full sanctioned strength of 14 doctors, while there are 46 paramedical staff against the sanctioned posts of 49. She informed that 6 doctors and Dental Surgeons and 37 paramedics posted in the hospital have been engaged under NHM.
The Minister further informed that barring some modern facilities, the hospital has all diagnostic equipment and medicinal supplies as per its present status.
However, she said CT Scan, Critical Care Ambulance, Digital X-ray would be provided to the hospital during next financial year, subject to availability of funds.
However, not satisfied with the reply and on being snubbed by the Chairman, the NC member (Ganaie) staged walk out.
Sofi Yousuf and Zaffar Iqbal Manhas also raised supplementary questions.
Meanwhile, replying to a question of Aga Syed Mahmood, Asiea Naqash said that the sanctioned staff strength of Agha Syed Yousif (RA) Memorial District Hospital Budgam is 167 including Gazetted and Non-Gazetted of which 117 are in position.
The Minister informed that CT Scan machine has been installed at Anantnag, Kulgam, Baramulla, Handwara, Leh and Kargil District Hospitals in Phase-I, adding that DH Budgam will be provided CT Scan during the next financial year subject to availability of funds. She informed that Government approved Rs 70 lakh for J&K Medical Supplies Corporation Limited, of which Rs 35 lakh has been released to purchase Digital X-ray, Endoscope and Colonoscope for the health institutions of the State.
Responding to supplementary questions of Ali Mohammad Dar and Girdhari Lal Raina , the Minister informed that there was adequate quantity of medicines available in all District Hospitals and at Jagti hospital.
Replying to a question of Firdous Ahmad Tak, the Minister said that during last two years, 97797 and 263049 patients were admitted in Emergency wards of Government Medical Colleges, Jammu and Srinagar and their Associated Hospitals. She informed that 5876 fatalities in Jammu Division and 4988 in Kashmir Division were also recorded during the same period.
The Minister informed that most of the patients in Emergency wards of Associated Hospitals of Government Medical Colleges are examined by Registrars round-the-clock, adding that some patients are examined by the PG Students under the guidance of Registrars. The head of units and consultants conduct regular rounds and on need basis, consultants are called to attend the critical patients, she informed.
Listing the steps being taken in the health sector, Asiea Naqash informed that efforts are being made to improve the health care system in GMCs and its Associated Hospitals. She informed that the tertiary care health institutions have been equipped with latest diagnostic facilities including CT Scan, MRI, EEG, Eco- Cardiograph, Video endoscopy.
Tak however, maintained that no Consultants are available in the Emergency units specially during night hours and there is no emergency of Cardiology, Neurology and Nephrology etc at GMC Jammu. There is urgent need to deploy senior doctors at Emergency unit only PGs are often seen there to run the show.
Naresh Gupta, Surinder Choudhary and Vibodh Gupta raised supplementary questions and demanded that senior Consultants should also made accountable and be deployed at Emergency Unit of GMC and SMGS Hospitals. Proper monitoring system be devised there by HoDs, Superintendent and Principal, by placing cameras for ensuring their presence.
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