Kupwara/Baramulla, July 31: As part of delegating powers to the grass root level institutions, Minister for Health, Sham Lal Sharma has said that Rs 10,000 would be earmarked for each Medical Sub-Centre across the State and funds would be jointly utilized by the Sarpanchs, Block Medical Officers and Pharmacist in-charge for the patient care.
 “The Panchs have greater responsibility on their shoulder and they must discharge their duties with dedication and honesty and come up to the expectations of the people and government,” Sham said while addressing two mega NRHM Samellans organized by the State Health Society (Mission Directorate, NRHM) to educate the ground level health workers, ASHAs, Sarpanchs & Panchs about the NRHM and other schemes and their benefits here.
 He stressed upon the MLAs and newly elected Sarpanchs to personally monitor the functioning of the health institutions falling under their jurisdiction to improve the work culture.
 Sham conducted a two-day tour of far-flung and hilly districts Kupwara and Baramulla to push forward the mass awareness campaign launched by the health department to popularize various Centrally sponsored schemes and to take stock of the healthcare facilities.
 Maintaining that health was a core sector and it is endeavour of the coalition government headed by Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah to provide quality healthcare facilities to the people at their doorsteps, the Minister said numerous measures had been initiated during the past 2-3 years to upgrade the health infrastructure across the State. He said government had strengthened the Rogy Kalyan Samtis and made local MLAs accountable for taking decisions at their level for the welfare of the patient care at the block level. Adequate funds have been placed at the disposal of the Samtis and they can liberally make expenditures for the better patient care in their areas.
 During his tour, the Minister visited several health centres including, District Hospital, Handwara, Sub-District Hospital, Kupwara, PHC, Cheerkoot and many others in Baramulla district and took a detailed view of the health services available in these twin districts. He issued suitable instructions to the concerned officers to take immediate measures to rejuvenate the services by making optimum use of the existing infrastructure.
 Stressing the need for holding awareness camps at the block level to educate rural masses about the government schemes and their benefits, the Minister directed the Chief Medical Officers to cover all the blocks falling under their jurisdiction and take full advantage of the NRHM programme which is aimed at to improve the rural health infrastructure. The Central Government has specially designed this flagship programme for bettering the health services in the rural areas and honest efforts should be made that benefits of the programme percolate down to the needy, he added.
 At Kupwara, the Minister announced one CT Scan, One Critical Care Ambulance fitted with life saving gadgets for District Hospital, Handwara. He promised to fulfill all the vacant posts of doctors and paramedics and strengthening the AMT School, Kupwara. He directed for formulation of a comprehensive proposal for construction of additional IPD block and renovation of Handwara hospital. He said that Kupwara district, being a hilly and spread over a scattered and tough terrain has been kept on high focused status and government will take all possible measures for the expansion of health institutions.
 The Minister also felicitated some ASHAs who demonstrated excellent performance in their work.
 The Minister also inaugurated newly constructed building of PHC, Cheerkoot in block Sogam. The building has been constructed at an estimated cost of Rs. 1 crore.
 Sharif-ud-Din Sharik announced Ultrasound machine for the SDH, Kupwara from his MPLAD funds.
 Meanwhile, the Minister also paid visit to Kupwara fruit mandi and took stock of the progress of execution works. He directed the Director (Planning & Marketing) to ensure allotment of shops to the genuine applicants and finish pending works so that mandi is made functional at the earliest. He also interacted with the fruit traders and assured that they will get all kinds of facilities in the mandi.
 Minister of State for Home, Nasir Aslam Wani and Minister of State for Health & Medical Education, Javed Ahmed Dar highlighted the importance of NRHM programme. They said that Samellans would go a long way in creating greater awareness among the common masses and health workers about the different components of the programme. They hoped that the workers will implement the programme in its letter and spirit.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 31 Jul 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 31 Jul 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 1 Aug 2011 00:00:00 IST