Azad visits G.P.Pant hospital

Announces free medicine, diagnostic facilities to children.
SRINAGAR: Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Mr. Ghulam Nabi Azad, who is on two day visit of the State, today visited G.B.Pant Hospital and took stock of the medicare facilities being provided to the children.
Minister for Medical Education Mr. R.S.Chib, also accompanied the Union Minister.
Briefing media persons, Mr. Azad said that the children would get free medicines, diagnostic facilities besides meals to the attendants for one month during hospitalization under a scheme already in vogue in the country. He said that the hospital will bear the expenses on the medical investigations which may be required to be conducted outside the hospital during this period.
Referring to the deficiency of the medical and para-medical staff in the hospital, the Union Minister said that State Government has already taken necessary steps in this regard, adding that 15 days training would be imparted to the nurses being engaged in the hospital. He said such engagements can be made at district levels also to cater to the needs of the patients.
Replying to a query regarding deficiency of ventilators in the hospital, Mr. Azad said that State has been provided Rs. 60 crore under NRHM during current fiscal and Government can procure consumables including ventilators out of these funds.
The Union Minister said that two 200- bedded hospitals one each at Jammu and Srinagar are coming up for which the first installment of funds have been released by the Centre.
Mr Azad laid stress on the restricted numbers of attendants in the wards and said that this would help in ensuring cleanliness and checking infection in the hospital.
Earlier, Mr. Azad went round the wards, interacted with the attendants and enquired about the facilities being provided to their wards.
Meanwhile, the Union Minister also chaired a meeting of officers and got first hand appraisal of the functioning of the institution.
Among others, Secretary, Health and Medical Education, Mr. M.K.Dwevidi, Principal, GMC, Dr. Qazi Masood, Medical Superintendent, Dr. Muneer Ahmad besides senior doctors of the hospital were present on the occasion.