Super specialty hospital to be operationalised by this year end: Azad

JAMMU: Expressing optimism about commissioning of the Super Specialty Hospital this calendar year, Union Health Minister, Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad today set a schedule of activities for undertaking time-bound operationalization of this special healthcare service in the Jammu region.
Getting latest update over various facets of the prestigious project at a high powered meeting of top officials from the Union Health Ministry and the State Government, Mr. Azad said that final touches are being given to the logistics and other infrastructural activities. While three Integrated Modular OTs have been put in place, remaining are in the pipeline. These, along with other diagnostic equipment like dialysis, are in the process of procurement and expected to arrive here by October 15. Accordingly, these will be installed by year end, he added.
Deputy Chief Minister, Tara Chand and Minister for Medical Education, Mr. R. S. Chib were present in the meeting.
Referring to recruitment of specialized human resource for manning various units of the hospital, he said necessary process has already been initiated and several specialists have already been deployed outside the State for getting expertise and specialized training. While 50 per cent specialists will be appointed locally, remaining 50 per cent shall be arranged from outside the State.
Emphasizing the need for ensuring high standards in diagnostic equipment and the infrastructural edifice, the Union Minister said that the focus should be laid on how we can extend optimum relief to the people within the state thus saving them from waiting for months in super specialties outside the State for specialized treatment.
Azad directed the HLL authorities for taking up installation the remaining OTs by October so as complete the process in all respects by December end. He asked the HLL to take care of maintenance of their equipments installed in the SSH besides directing CPWD to maintain the building infrastructure for a period of two years.
The Union Minister suggested out sourcing of such diagnostic equipments that were not readily available so that the patients are not made to venture out for getting the tests done. It will have to be made mandatory for outsourced units to strictly adhere to the rates fixed by the government for various tests.
He asked the officers to set a timeline for every work separately for their expeditious completion.
Mr Azad went round SSH and took stock of several equipments besides inspecting the quality of work. He gave on the spot instructions for redoing the works quality of which was not up to the standard. He also stressed on maintaining the aesthetic grandeur of the hospital and its periphery besides focusing on health and hygiene.
He hoped that the calendar of activities will be observed with urgency so that periodical reviews of the work done could be undertaken so as to meet the deadline.
Mr. Chib briefed the Union Minister about status of works completed and in the process of completion in SSH and thanked him for personally visiting this prestigious project which will help in streamlining its completion. He requested him for additional funds for construction of a separate emergency block and multi-storyed parking in the SSH.
Secretary Health and Medical Education Mr. M. K. Dwivedi gave a Power Point presentation over the status of different works undertaken so far.
While 819 posts of various categories of staff have been created, process for appointment of 214 para medics is underway. Besides, process for floating tenders for security and sanitation services, outsourcing of laundry and diet services, establishment of drug store, ambulance services, segregation of departments on the pattern of AIIMS etc. has also been initiated.
Among others present were Principal GMC, Srinagar, Dr. Masood, Officiating Principal GMC, Jammu, Dr. Aniece Chowdhary, Chief Engineer CPWD, Dehli, CEO and MD, HLL, Mr. Ayappan, Chief Engineer R&B Jammu, Director Floriculture, SEs PDD and UEED, Officers from Union Health Ministry, HLL and CPWD. (KMW News)