Omar concerned over reluctance of doctors to serve in rural areas

Srinagar: Concerned over the reluctance of doctors to serve in difficult, far-flung and remote areas, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reminded the medical fraternity of their fundamental mission to serve the society in best possible way.
Speaking at the Golden Jubilee Celebration function of Government Medical College (GMC), here last evening, the Chief Minister said the progress and development of a society is directly dependent on the status and degree of healthcare service available to the people.
Mr Abdullah said,” How much progress we may made in other sectors, but at the end of the day, real indicator of our progress is quality of health service available to people.” While government is providing adequate infrastructure, medicines, gadgets and modern trainings to the doctors and students, they have to render the quality service with a missionary zeal, he said referring to the reluctance of doctors to serve in rural and less optimal areas.
He said they are more committed to the society than to anyone as such they have to shoulder this responsibility happily and as a challenge.
“How much progressive we may be in the sectors of power, communication, industries and agriculture, but at the end of the day the real indicator of development and growth is the quality of health service available to the people,” he said adding that the quality of healthcare depends upon the quality of doctors.
The Chief Minister said during the last 50 years, the GMC has produced eminent doctors of world fame. The doctors from this institution have not only made their mark in the state but their ability and calibre has become benchmark all around the globe, he said.
Mr Abdullah said Srinagar Medical College has seen the best as well as the worst periods but it has shown good performance and thrived with the progress of time.
“You have not to rest here. The world of medical sciences is confronted with huge challenges. New diseases and variations in diseases surface day-to-day, new technology emerges day after day, new drugs and medicines are introduced continuously to address the diseases and treat these in a befitting and proper manner, he said and asked the doctors to be with the pace of development in medical sciences in the world.