Srinagar, Jan 9: Union Ministry for Health and Family Welfare has granted the Centre of Excellence status to the Government Medical College for successfully implementing the mental health programme in Kashmir.
 “Following the directions of Government of India, we have formed community health centre at SMHS,” GMC principal, Dr Shahida Mir told Greater Kashmir. “We had received Rs 2.5 crore as budget. Apart from providing healthcare we systematically upgraded the centre within the stipulated time” she said.
 Dr Shahida said during the meeting conducted by the Ministry in New Delhi on November 16, 2010, senior health officials were ‘impressed’ with the way our centre was functioning. “So GoI granted centres of excellence status to six colleges in implementing the programme,” Dr Shahida said adding GMC was one among them.
 After attaining the status, Dr Shahida said the programme budget had been enhanced and an additionality of Rs 30 crore would be released in a phased manner.
 “This money would help in upgrading the centre and producing man power for utilization at district level,” she said.
 “GMC has made good advances, - hostel for PG students is operational, non-technical equipment has been procured and order for the library books has been placed,” the meeting chaired, by Addition Secretary, Health Department, GoI, Keshav Desiraju said and appreciated the progress made by the College in mental health.
 Government Psychiatric Hospital Medical Superintendent, Prof (Dr) Mushtaq Margoob said, “We have been able to execute funds and upgrade our centre in mental health despite six month long unrest,” Dr Margoob said.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 9 Jan 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 9 Jan 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 10 Jan 2011 00:00:00 IST