Sakeena Itoo reviews healthcare scenario in Budhal, Surankote assembly constituencies

Srinagar, Jul 10: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Itoo, Thursday chaired a meeting at Civil Secretariat here to review overall healthcare infrastructure and facilities in Budhal and Surankote Assembly Constituencies.
MLA Budhal, Javid Iqbal Choudhary; MLA Surankote, Choudhary Mohammad Akram; Secretary Health and Medical Education, Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed; Director Health Services Jammu, Chief Medical Officers of Rajouri and Poonch districts besides other senior officers of health department attended the meeting in person and virtually.
The Minister had in-depth assessment of existing healthcare infrastructure and its associated facilities in Budhal and Surankote Assembly Constituencies. She also took stock of medical equipments, medicines and other essential facilities available for the people of these far flung areas.
Addressing the officers, the Minister emphasized on the need for strengthening healthcare infrastructure, upgrading medical equipment and ensuring availability of essential medicines in remote areas of these constituencies. She asked the officers to establish tele medicine facilities in these areas, especially in critical spots having less nearby health facilities. She further asked them to ensure ample quantity of life saving drugs available in these places as it will reduce the chances of fatalities during referral.
Taking strong notice of shortage of specialist doctors, the Minister directed the Secretary Health and Director Health to cancel all attachments immediately and post them at their designated places. She also asked them to deploy specialist doctors on roster basis at the health facilities of these constituencies in order to amplify healthcare services in these areas.
The Minister asked the Secretary Health and Director Health to initiate action against the doctors indulging in private practice during working hours. She asked them to conduct surprise inspections of health facilities in order to make the doctors and other paramedical staff more accountable.
The Minister, during the meeting, also called for generating maximum awareness regarding PMJAY SEHAT scheme among the people of these areas so that they can take desired benefits from it.