Srinagar
To promote alternative medicine health care in J&K, Union Minister of State for AYUSH and Defense, Shripad Nayak today said that 50 bedded hospitals at a cost of Rs 12 crore would be set up in every district. He also said Gulmarg, Patnitop, Pahalgam hill stations would be promoted as AYUSH medical tourism destinations.
The Minister said this during a function at SKICC organised to promote AYUSH medicine here and e-inauguration of some major projects in Srinagar city.
The Minister gave a detailed overview of AYUSH and Wellness centers being established across J&K for prompting traditional and affordable healthcare across the state particularly in rural areas.
Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education, Atal Dulloo, Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Dr Shahid Iqbal Chowdhary, Director SKIMS, Pof. A G Ahangar, Director ISM J&K Dr Mohan Singh, Director Health Services Kashmir Dr Sameer Matoo, Principal Medical College Srinagar Dr Parvez Ahmed Shah, Assistant Director Regional Research Institute of Unani Medicine Srinagar, Dr Seema Akbar and other officials were present on the occasion besides large number of paramedical and ASHA workers of Kashmir.
The Union Minister assured liberal funding for upradation of health infrastructure in the J&K.
He also said that 100 bedded All India Institute of Ayurveda in New Delhi which was established in 2016 has received a warm response from people.
“Everyday 2,000 patients visit hospital daily for treatment. It will be setup in other places across India including J&K,” he said.
Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education Atul Duloo gave a detailed account of various initiatives taken by the government in the health sector. He also informed about the various other plans of the government to strengthen the health infrastructure in the J&K in a big way.
The Minister later e-inaugurated various projects which included Heritage lighting from Dalgate to Nishat and Nishat to Hazratbal along foreshore road at an estimated cost of Rs 9.98 crores, inauguration of high mast sports flood lighting system at Radapora Sports Stadium Srinagar at an estimated cost of Rs 75 lac, illumination of high mast sports flood lighting system at Lal Bazar sports stadium at an estimated cost of Rs 50 lakh, illumination of high mast sports flood lighting system at Chinkral Mohalla sports stadium at an estimated cost of Rs 50 lakh and affordable medicines reliable implants for treatment(AMRIT) stores at SKIMS and SMHS.
Later a number of deputations from different areas of Srinagar met the Union Minister and apprised him about their demands.
Residents of HMT Srinagar demanded establishment of a hospital in their area.
A delegation from Tral led by BDC Chairman Avtar Singh demanded construction of a maternity hospital at Tral besides a women’s college and a skill development institute in the area. They also demanded construction of 4-lane road from Tral to Awantipora.
A group of contractors demanded the lifting of ban on stone quarry extraction. They also demanded upgradation of water, power and school education infrastructure in the area.
A delegation of businessmen community sought help of the Minister to make Jammu-Srinagar highway all-weather road. They also sought a cap on ticket fares for Kashmir from other places for the promotion of the tourism sector in J&K.
Several delegations of casual labourers working in PHE, Irrigation, forest and health department demanded their regularisation and enhancement of wages.
