Open Eye Banks in Jammu Kashmir

Jammu and geographic area is probably the sole state within the country with none bank with the result that the most important efforts at effectively endeavour membrane Opacity, sightlessness don't bear any result.
The twenty seventh National Eye Donation period is being determined from August twenty five to September eight, during this State as elsewhere across the country, creating a powerful plea for donating eyes for giving sight to the poverty-stricken persons. however since there's no bank either within the Government Medical schools at Srinagar or Jammu, therefore the voluntary supply of eyes realize no place wherever they will undertake this noble service of giving sight to the unseeing.

Any person intending to build declaration for donating his/her eyes when death for anybody cannot do thus because the eyes of individual have to be compelled to be taken out inside six to eight hours solely. And once there's no bank within the entire State however will such work be undertaken in Jammu and geographic area wherever demand is on higher facet.

It is a incontrovertible fact that the govt. Medical school, Jammu did have a bank practical providing appropriate facilities to the membrane Opacity (blind person) quite some years back. it should be recalled that some eyes were additionally transplanted at GMC, Jammu. however because of lack of enough legal framework and lack of some infrastructure back-up, this bank became dysfunctional. however the govt. took no steps some to re-start the attention Bank either at GMC, Jammu or Srinagar.

Public Demand
In view of the pressing public demand for putting in of Eye Banks in Jammu and geographic area State, as elsewhere within the country for providing facilities to the donors to present their eyes for giving 'light' to the unseeing. whereas Human Organs Transplantation Act was passed within the country envisaging transplantation of human organs, as well as eyes, in an exceedingly recognized and registered health center by competent eye specialists.

Since the authorities failed to enact such a legislation, Eye Banks couldn't be opened or created operational in Jammu and Kashmir---not even within the Government Medical schools of Jammu or Srinagar. thus a significant downside is facing the individuals.

Ram Dass Dubey, general secretary of the J&K branch of National Blind Federation powerfully pleaded for straightaway gap the attention Banks in Jammu and geographic area for endeavour the matter of the unseeing persons during this a part of the country. Abdul Rahim, sixty two years aged, lamented that he wished to present his eyes for the noble reason for the blind however he couldn't do thus in absence of a bank facility within the State. He demanded appropriate arrangements for donors to serve the society.
Make Facility accessible

Shakeela Bano, a house mate in her 40s in Srinagar, expressed her keen need to try and do some noble work by donating her eyes for the poverty-stricken blind persons . She aforementioned " even when my death, my eyes can still continue to exist and see the planet through someone's sight. i believe it'll be an excellent service to the humanity. If the enlightened persons present their eyes, they'll serve the humanity. Urging the govt. for upgrading facilities for the persons with vision impairment, Tarlok Singh, a faculty teacher from Jammu town, was additionally desperate to register for donation of his eyes within the reason for blind individuals. Shakti Gupta, a university student additionally created a case for immediate gap of Eye Banks in geographic area, Jammu and Ladakh.

There are, per official figures nearly one.2 hundred thousand persons with membrane Opacity within the country and quite an sizeable numbers ar in Jammu and geographic area also United Nations agency want immediate attention and Medicare.

While the Central and also the State Governments are creating cooperative endeavors at providing upgraded medical services however the shortage of bank facilities hamper the efforts of popularizing eye donation as a family tradition during this a part of this country. therefore the authorities should take up this matter on priority basis.

Missionary Work
First of all, the authorities should return up with an acceptable law governing the transplantation of eyes in an exceedingly registered health center by the highest medical specialist in Jammu and geographic area. Secondly, a choice to start out Eye Banks in GMC, Srinagar and Jammu, be taken and later take this facility to different vital places within the State.

Thirdly, the authorities ought to depute young and bright medical specialist and a few different employees for advanced course in bank management and operational aspects at some prime health center within the country. Fourthly, once the attention Banks ar in situ and become operational, the govt. should keep on a full of life eye donation campaign in Jammu and geographic area. varied public awareness programmes are often launched by all agencies - officers, non-public sector and NGOs for meeting the curse of membrane Opacity sightlessness during this State also.

The Chief Minister, Omar Abdulah and also the Minister for Medical Education, RS Chib ought to straightaway flip their "eye" towards the intense downside of endeavour membrane Opacity sightlessness by straightaway gap Eye Banks in Jammu and geographic area like different elements of the country.
In addition, full-scale efforts should be place in by the Central and State Governments to squarely face the challenge of sightlessness and different eye ailments to create the society healthy and happy.

VMS organizes medical camp

Voluntary Medicare Society (VMS) in collaboration with the Bandipora Youth Awami Mahaz today organized awareness cum medical camp in the North Kashmir district of Bandipora.

Around 1000 patients were attended by over one dozen doctors during which around one dozen imported wheel chairs were distributed among the disabled person and medicine worth thousands of rupees was distributed among the poor patients.

A spokesman of VMS said that doctors drawn from the different streams examined the patients. He said psychiatrists belonging to Department of Psychiatry and Neuro-Sciences, Government Medical College, Srinagar rendered their services during the camp.

"Renowned neurologist of SKIMS-Soura, Dr. Sheikh Saleem was also present during the medical camp and he too attended the patients. People suffering from various disabilities were provided wheel-chairs, hearing aids, tricycles and crèche during the camp. Medicines were also distributed among the patients," said the spokesman.

Additional District Development Commissioner, Bandipora, Ghulam Hassan Khan, SP Bandipora, Bashir Ahmad Khan and some other dignitaries were also present during the function. Renowned advocate Nazir Ahmad Malik was the chief guest on the occasion. The function was presided over by Dr. Mir Maqbool Ahmad, President VMS.

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Protest against distt admn

Hundreds of people today blocked Jammu-Srinagar National Highway for nearly two hours near here in protest against alleged inadequate steps by the district administration in rescuing the accident victims from the river Chenab while as a group of people held demonstration against the Health Department over the harassment meted out to a pregnant woman in the District Hospital.

Around 400 people gathered at the site from where a Tata Sumo rolled down into river Chenab yesterday evening and blocked the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in protest against alleged inadequate steps taken by the district administration in rescuing the occupants of the ill-fated vehicle.

"It was due to inadequate steps by the administration that neither lives of those traveling in the Tata Sumo could be saved nor their bodies recovered", they alleged, adding "had there been proper coordination between different Government agencies situation could have been different".

Nearly two hour long protest demonstration came to an end only after the civil and police administration conveyed to the agitating people that Deputy Commissioner, Ramban, has approached the Power Development Corporation (PDC) authorities to stop flow of water from Baglihar dam.

Soon after the flow of water from Baglihar was stopped, the rescue operation was resumed under the supervision of Additional Deputy Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner Revenue. After hectic efforts, the chassis of ill-fated Tata Sumo and dead body of one Razwana Bano, daughter of Mohd Ashraf of Tatarsoo were recovered.

For tracing out the remaining three dead bodies search operation on both the banks of river from Ramban to Dharamkund was launched but to no avail. The district administration Ramban has also alerted the Reasi and Jammu administration to check the dead bodies if any noticed in the river Chenab in their areas.

Meanwhile, report said that a pregnant woman namely Nusrat Begum, wife of Sajjad Ahmed of Chanderkote was brought to the District Hospital on April 12 after she started experiencing labour pains. However, the doctors sent her back to home after administering some injections on the ground that delivery would take more time.

Yesterday evening, the woman was again brought to the hospital after she found it difficult to bear the labour pain. However, her attendants were advised by the doctor on duty to shift her to Jammu on the ground that she was facing some complications.

However, the attendants objected to this advise of the doctor and sought to know why pregnancy complications cannot be handled in the District Hospital, which according to the tall claims of the Health Department, was fully equipped to handle all sorts of cases.

While the attendants of the woman and the doctor were busy in arguments, Nusrat Begum delivered baby in the corridors of the hospital following which she was immediately taken to Labour Room. Later, both the woman and the baby were shifted to the ward hale and hearty.

As the doctor’s words about complications proved wrong with the normal delivery, the relatives and family members of woman held protest demonstration against the hospital authorities and even smashed window panes of the hospital. However, the situation was brought under control with the intervention of Chief Medical Officer (CMO).

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Expired drugs seized from hospital

Police last night raided Government hospital Anantnag and recovered expired drugs that were being distributed to the patients while three doctors were arrested for death of a woman in a Nursing Home in the town for alleged medical negligence. 

According to reports, Anatnang police last night raided Mirza Afzal Beg Memorial Hospital in Anantnag after attendants of a patient, who was admitted in the hospital lodged a complaint with the police about supply of expired drugs. 

The patient's attendants were provided with the expired medicine at the hospital for the patient. Police raided the hospital and recovered expired medicine, which were being provided to the patients in the hospital.

One of the Pharmacists of the hospital, Nazir Ahmad was arrested by the police and investigations are going on. Residents alleged that the higher ups of the Health department were hand in glove with the district hospital authorities and said that such complaints were frequent in the hospital and health authorities gave a deaf ear to them.

In the meantime, the Member Parliament, Mehboob Beg, today visited the hospital and expressed his concern over the supply of expired medicine to the patients. He said that this is not the first time that patients have complained about the supply of expired drugs to them. Beg asked the Health department to investigate matter. 

Meanwhile police arrested three doctors for the death of a woman in SKJ Nursing Home at K P road in Anantnag. 

Shahzada , 35, wife of Fayaz Ahmad Shah resident of Brad Ashmuqam was admitted to the hospital yesterday and died due to alleged negligence of doctors. A case has been registered in this regard in Police Station Mattan. 

Three doctors Dr Muzaffar Kocahak, Dr Farooq and Dr Mushtaq were detained by police for alleged medical negligence.

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World Health Day observed across State

World Health Day was observed across the State today.

World Health Day was celebrated at Acharya Shri Chander College of Medical Sciences and Hospital, Sidhra. On the occasion, seminar, skit and poster making competitions were organised. Dr SL Verma, Founding Principal of ASCOMS was the chief guest while Dr A Kumar, Director Principal and Dr VK Gandotra, Prof and Advisor Academics were also present. 

During the seminar, speakers from different specialities spoke on different aspects. In poster making competition, group headed by Nitika and Oshin were adjudged first while group headed by Poonam and Sakshi were conferred second ranking. Group headed by Shilpa and Harpreet bagged third ranking.

Regional Red Cross Society and Hrideya Deep Ashram, organised a free medial camp at Lower Ratnu Chak to mark the World Health Day. The camp was inaugurated by Anil K Padha, secretary, Regional Red Cross Society and was presided over by Swami Hridaya Nand Giri. During the camp, over 460 patients were examined and free medicines jointly contributed by BEE ENN Charitable Trust and Hridaya Deep Ashram were distributed.

World Health Day was observed at Government Middle School, Phinter, Billawar, where students from various schools participated. A seminar on "Health for All" was organised where number of speakers threw light on the importance of the topic. A rally was also organised on the occasion. 

Guru Nanak College of Education, Jallochak, celebrated World Health Day by organizing the visit of its students to Saint Edward Public School, Sarore, thereby spreading the message of healthy mind and body in today’s stressful living environment. On the occasion, students performed various health education informative programmes elaborating the noble cause of blood donation. Sunita Jamwal, Principal of the college was the chief guest while the whole programme was organised by Anita Gupta.

On the eve of World Health Day, a seminar on the theme "Save the Girl Child" was organised by Red Cross and Education Department at Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Kathua, in which students from various schools participated. On the occasion, Zahida Parveen Khan, District Development Commissioner, Kathua was the chief guest, who while speaking appealed the people to cooperate in eradicating this social evil, which is posing serious threat to the sex ratio. Officers from civil administration were also present on the occasion.

Health Department Ramban in collaboration with Ramban Police organised rallies to mark World Health Day, in which hundreds of students participated.

Eco Sanitation Welfare Council in collaboration with Guru Harkrishan Public School, organised a seminar on "Eco Sanitation--A way to Healthy life" and an awareness rally, to celebrated World Health Day. On the occasion, Commissioner, JMC, KL Khajuira, was the chief guest while Balbir Singh, Principal of the school and galaxy of senior citizens were also present.

Yogathon, unique nation wide initiative by the Art of Living was performed at GGM Science College, KC Public School, NITS Polytechnic, Miran Sahib, Heritage School, MHAC Nagbani, Vaishno Devi College of Education besides Kot Bhalwal and Amphalla jails to commemorate World Health Day. Hundreds of people participated.

An awareness rally "To Save Girl Child" was organised at Government Higher Secondary School, Nagri Parole to celebrate World Health Day. The rally commenced from the school premises and passed through various streets, in which staff members and girls students participated.

IPS Kidzee, Kathua organised a Medical Check up camp to celebrate World Health Day, in which Dr Mohinder Lal, Dr Reva, Dr Raj Kumar, Dr Vikas Pandu, Dr Dimple and Dr Ravinder, examined the children.

Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Dr Asgar Hassan participated in a "Walk for Good Health" organised by World Health Organization in association with Valley Citizen Council from Nehru Park, today to commemorate World Health Day. People from all walks of society including officials from civil administration also took part in the rally.

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Utilization Certificates not submitted

Union Health Ministry writes to State Health Department

Utilization Certificates not submitted despite several reminders, meetings, telephonic calls

Though Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has been providing liberal financial assistance to the State Health Department through various Centrally Sponsored schemes, the latter has failed to submit Utilization Certificates thereby hampering actual implementation of many of these flagship programmes. 

This has happened despite the fact that senior officials of the Union Health Ministry have sent several reminders to the top officials of the State Health Department through a number of letters. 

Expressing its displeasure over the state of affairs of Health Department in the State the Union Ministry officials have categorically stated that the issue of pending Utilization certificates pertaining to Jammu and Kashmir State hadn't been resolved despite several meetings. 

"Despite regularly correspondences followed by several reminders, meetings with the State Government officials and telephonic conversations, etc. the issue of pending Utilization Certificates in respect of your State has not been resolved", says a communication sent by Union Ministry vide D.O No. V.15011/18/2010-PH- I(Pt.), which is in possession of Jk News. 

These observations had been made by the officials while referring non-seriousness on part of State officials, in implementation of National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) --- a special program, which had been launched by the Government of India keeping in view the heavy burden of mental illness in the community, and the absolute inadequacy of mental health care infrastructure in the country to deal with it. 

The official communication written by Joint Secretary, Sujaya Krishnan of the Health Ministry, which had been addressed to the Commissioner cum Secretary (Health), Health and Medical Education Department stated, "a copy of the fact sheet containing details of various schemes of NMHP under implementation in your State is enclosed for your reference. However, the Utilization certificates have not been issued in respect of the above mentioned funds, which is hampering the implementation of the programme in your State due to non release of further installments of funds". 

"May I therefore request your personal intervention in the matter of submission of Utilization Certificates and Audited Statement of account in respect of funds released under various schemes of NMHP so that the Utilization Certificates can be issued by this Ministry and further installment of funds could be released for implementation of the National Mental Health Programme in your State", the letter said. 

Official sources while corroborating the delay in the submission of Utilization Certificates said this had happened despite the fact that the Union Ministry officials have given clear directions to the State Health Department to utilize the funds strictly as per the provisions of the scheme communicated to them from time to time and submit the required Certificates. 

The gravity of situation can be gauged from the fact that State Health Department hasn't provided Utilization Certificates of even the grant released for the implementation of District Mental Health Programme in the State during the financial year 2004-05. In this year, the Union Health Ministry had released nearly 26 lacs to Jammu, Kathua, Rajouri and Udhampur districts each with the objective of implementation of this programme in J&K.

In a recent communication vide letter no. F. No. V.15016/18/2010-PH-1, the Union Health Ministry has written to Principal Secretary (Health) & Mission Director (NRHM) while directing them to expedite the submission of year-wise Utilization Certificates (duly certified by the State Nodal Officer) as per the proforma and the Audited Statement of Accounts upto financial year 2009-10 starting from the year, when the first installments of funds was released in respect of the above districts along with the information regarding expenditure incurred till date. 

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SKIMS finest medical institute of State

Minister for Medical Education, R. S. Chib today said that Government has taken several key initiatives to expand medicare facilities across the State to cater to the present day needs in the health care system.

Mr. Chib was replying to the discussion initiated by Bashir Ahmad Veeri regarding restoration of glory and prestige of SKIMS Soura in Legislative Council today. He said that the dream of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah was fulfilled with the establishment of SKIMS and within short span of time the institute was successful in building the reputation as the finest in the country.

Mr. Chib Said that with the onset of militancy as many as 247 staff members including senior Doctors, paramedical and other technical staff migrated from the institute thereby adversely affects its smooth functioning. He said that since 1988 several steps were taken to restore the glory of the institute. He informed the House that the institute which has a governing body headed by the Chief Minister, made necessary arrangements to fill up the vacancies created and several new departments were also created during the period.

The Minister said that SKIMS being a deemed University also run various courses in different disciplines and conduct training programme for doctors, nurses and other support staff. Similarly, seminars and workshops are being regularly held in the institute where in senior reputed doctors and researchers participate and share their experience.

He informed that as many as 5.5 lakh patients visited the OPD and 60,000 patients were admitted to KIMS for treatment during last year. He said that institute has the latest machinery and facilities available for diagnosis and treatment of diseases.

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Up Gradation of Health Institutions

Creation, up-gradation of health institutions House Panel detects influence of Ministries, neglect of DDB decisions

 Establishing the allegations of irregularities and violation of prescribed norms by the Health Department in the process of creation/ up-gradation of various health institutions in the State, House Committee of Legislative Assembly has detected influence of certain Ministries in the departmental proposals for creation and up-gradation of various health institutions in one or the other way and neglect of the District Development Board decisions.

The House Panel headed by ruling National Conference MLA, Dr Mustafa Kamal, in its report tabled in the Legislative Assembly today, has observed that certain areas were ignored altogether whereas some specific areas were blessed with extra-ordinary treatment during the period between April 1, 2002 to March 31, 2011.

Expressing concern over altogether neglect of uncovered areas, the report said, "the creation/ upgradations were made in specific constituencies in violation of prescribed norms and at the cost of other constituencies particularly those falling in far flung and remote areas of the State such as Ramban, Kishtwar, Doda, Poonch and Rajouri where not even a single such institution was created/ upgraded during the period".

"The National Population Norms prescribed and adopted with a slight variation for creation/ establishment of various health institutions in the State, are irrelevant and irrational in view of the fact that the topography of State is very difficult and there are large number of areas which are far flung and remain cut off during winters", the report said.

"The re-establishment of six Primary Health Centres in Charar-i-Sharief Constituency (sanctioned vide Govt Order No.833-HME of 2002 but subsequently closed in 2004 vide Govt Order No.134-HME of 2004) and creation of posts for making these PHCs functional in 2010 is not understandable", the report said while terming the concern shown by the Members of the Legislative Assembly on the floor of the House in this regard as justified.

Stating that Department should have re-assessed the situation keeping in view the population coverage of the existing PHCs in the area before proposing the revival of closed PHCs/ up-gradation of two new Sub Centers by way of creation of posts in 2010, the report said, "though the departmental proposals should be based only on the District Development Board decisions, which are taken on the proposals of the public representatives, yet no such decision was referred to by the Department in this case".

The House Committee has also witnessed instances of same nature in respect of other constituencies including Akhnoor, Chhamb, Khan Sahib etc during the period between 2002 to 2011. "The influence of certain Ministries in the departmental proposals for creation and up-gradation of various health institutions is clearly reflected in one or the other way in the information furnished by the department on the subject during the entire period of reference (2002 to 2011)", the report said, adding "the establishment/ up-gradation of various health institutions by way of creation of posts and provision of additional staff by virtue of Government Order No.235-HME of 2010 speaks a lot on such influence".

"Since the adopted procedure weakens the system itself and the spirit of good governance is adversely affected by such tendencies, the circumstances warrant immediate closure of all such health institutions in various constituencies of the State but keeping in view the inconvenience likely to be caused to the inhabitants of the areas concerned, it would be wise to take immediate steps for creation/ up-gradation of required number of health institutions particularly the PHCs/CHCs and Sub-District Hospitals in the left over constituencies as per the existing norms and deficiencies on top priority basis during the next financial year itself", the report said.

"The closure of 35 sub-centres opened on internal arrangement basis in district Rajouri out of 77 such institutions in Jammu division reportedly due to paucity of staff since 2009 is yet another matter of concern", the Committee observed and recommended re-opening of all these Sub-Centers in Rajouri district with immediate effect.

Highlighting the importance of health and family welfare institutions, the Committee has observed that Government must ensure the availability of requisite infrastructure and manpower in all the health institutions to achieve the very basic objective of providing better healthcare to every soul in the State without any political reservations. "The political affiliation of the public representatives must not deprive the inhabitants of their fundamental rights in any case", report said.

Recommending immediate steps to restore 134 left over posts kept in abeyance during 2004 for strengthening the concerned health institutions for which the posts were created in 2002, the report said, "there is no justification for keeping them in abeyance any more when certain number of such posts relating to the health institutions in certain areas have already been restored".

"For future expansion and proper health planning, it is imperative on the part of concerned authorities to carefully identify the locations where the new health facilities are required to be established on rational criteria", the report said, adding "concrete steps are required to be taken to fill up the vacancies in all the health institutions of the State in order to make them fully functional thereby providing adequate medicare facilities to the general public".

The Committee has suggested that allocation of funds for creation of requisite infrastructure in health sector should be made rational and absolute transparency must be ensured in distribution of same amongst the districts/ constituencies under all heads.

It is pertinent to mention here that House Committee was constituted following the discussion on a supplementary question raised by PDP MLA, Choudhry Zulfikar Ali during last Budget Session wherein serious concern was expressed by the House over irregularities and violation of prescribed norms by the Health Department in the process of creation/ up-gradation of various health institutions in the State.

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Free RCH camp organised

District Health Society Samba today organised RCH camp at Primary Health Centre, Sanoora, under the guidance of Chief Medical Officer, Samba, Dr Sunil Kaila and BMO Samba, Dr Vikas Bhardwaj.

Around 670 patients were examined by a team of doctors comprising Dr Vikas Sharma, Dr Naresh Gupta, Dr Vikas, Dr Arti, Dr Monika, Dr Amit Bajaj and Dr Ritika.

The patients were also provided with free medicines.

Meanwhile, the Society also organised a mega laproligation camp at SDH Samba in which 54 patients were operated upon out of which 38 were contributed by block Samba while 16 by Ramgarh and Purmandal.

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Free eye checkup camp on March 14

Rotary Eye and ENT Hospital Udhampur in collaboration with Rotary Club, Udhampur is going to hold a free eye check up and surgery camp at base hospital, Rotary Eye and ENT Hospital, Housing Colony Udhampur on 14th March, 2012

The main objective of the camp is to screen the patients suffering with various eye ailments. Free check up will be done by the expert Ophthalmic Surgeon of the institution. Patients suffering with any type of eye ailments asked to visit in camp from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM to avail the golden opportunity.

According to Director, Dr. S.P Sharma that the selected poor patients for cataract surgery will be operated at Rotary Eye and ENT Hospital, Housing Colony Udhampur.

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Tainted Junior Doctor heads Valleys Prestigious Hospital

In one of the gross violations of the Government order, Director Health Kashmir, Dr Saleem-ur-Rehman, has asked a suspended junior Assistant Surgeon in the department to continue to head one of the prestigious hospitals of Kashmir valley, Jawahar Lal Nehru Memorial (JLNM) Hospital, Rainawari in Srinagar.

The Health and Medical Education Department under No. 118/HME of 2012 dated 17/02/2012 suspended the In-charge Deputy Medical Superintendent Jawahar Lal Nehru Memorial (JLNM) Hospital, Dr Iqbal Sofi, on February 17 but he continued to hold the chair. No doubt he was In-charge Deputy Medical Superintendent officially but under verbal orders of the Director Health Services, Kashmir, he was acting as In-Charge Medical Superintendent.

The Commissioner Secretary Health and Medical Education, G A Peer , suspended Dr Sofi on the basis of the preliminary inquiry conducted by the inquiry officer appointed by Health and Medical Education Department vide Government order No. 14-HME of 2011 dated 10-01-2011.

Dr Sofi was transferred from Sub-district Hospital Chadoora in district Budgam when the inquiry in ` 35 lakh scam in the hospital was going on against him. Despite being a junior most and a tainted official, holding only MBBS degree, he was posted as In-Charge Deputy Medical Superintendent of JLNM hospital in place of one of the senior most doctors, Dr Shafaqat Hussain on January 8, 2012. He was given drawing and disbursing powers on January 9, 2012.

Sources said that Dr Sofi was asked to head the hospital under the directions of the Health Minister Sham Lal Sharma.

After the suspension of Dr Sofi, Assistant Director School Health, Dr Masooda Shah was given charge of In-charge JLNM hospital but she was not allowed to join by Dr Sofi, who continued to hold the chair and issue without date orders in the hospital. Dr Masooda has decided not to confront the powerful Dr Sofi who reportedly has got patronage of the Director and the Minister.

Sources said that the Commissioner Secretary is being bypassed by the powerful Director, who has the patronage of the Minister. The Director has reportedly told Dr Sofi to continue as the In-charge of the JLNM hospital till he gets his suspension order cancelled from the Ministry. Even today, he was sitting on the Medical Superintendent's chair and chaired a meeting that was organised for giving farewell to the recently retired and transferred doctors. The meeting that began at 3 pm ended at 3.30 pm.

Dr Sofi is junior most Assistant Surgeon at Serial No. 1035 in the seniority list of Assistant Surgeons of the department issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department under Government order No. 556-HME of 2011 on 17-11-2011. Dr Shafaqat is at Serial number 195 in the same list and has MBBS, PG and DHM degrees and has served in the department for past 27 years.

Dr Shafaqat who was transferred to Directorate of Health Services got his transfer order stayed from the Jammu and Kashmir High Court on January 13 this year.

Dr Shafaqat is retiring by the end of this year and his transfer was done against the rules. He is not the only officer whose boss is a junior tainted officer but there are large numbers of junior doctors who have been given the coveted posts in the Health Department during past few years.

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Prisons Deptt launches website

Principal Secretary Home Department, B.R. Sharma today declared 5th State Prison Duty Meet - 2012 open at an impressive function held at Central Jail Kotbhalwal.

Director General of Prisons, Navin Agarwal was present on the occasion.

Mr. Sharma emphasized the importance of Prison Duty Meet in his speech and elaborated on various aspects of the same. He appreciated the work of Prisons Department particularly the programmes of Reformation and Rehabilitation for changing the mindset of the deviated youth.

Director General Prisons, Navin Agarwal elaborated on the purpose of holding State Prison Duty Meet annually. He said during meet we will be observing the professional competence of prison staff, examining their duty related knowledge and creating healthy competition among them. Superintendent Central Jail Kotbhalwal, Rajni Sehgal also spoke on the occasion.

A total of 44 participants selected from all over the State participated in the events of Essay Competition, Quiz Competition, Problem Solving Competition, First Aid Competition/Hygienic and Health Care Competition, Competition on finding of hidden prisoners and articles, prevention of escape and suicide, besides 100 meter / 800 meters race.

After declaring the State Prison Duty Meet open, the chief guest also launched the website of J&K Prisons Department (www.jkprisons.org) which was long pending demand of the department.