Reforms in Medical Services of jammu kashmir

Office bearers of Medical Association in Jammu as well as Srinagar have welcomed some reforms in medical services announced by the Minister for Medical Education R.S. Chib. Medical and Dental Colleges in both regions are faced with acute shortage of faculty members which has been adversely affecting availability of medical support to the public at large. As far as Government Medical College, Jammu is concerned, against 48 sanctioned posts of Professors, 26 are presently lying vacant while as 23 posts of Associate Professors against sanctioned strength of 49 are vacant. Similarly, against sanctioned strength of 67 Assistant Professors, only 33 are in position while, as 34 are lying vacant. The Medical College Srinagar is also reeling under acute shortage of faculty members. As against sanctioned strength of 69 Professors, only five are in position and 64 posts are lying vacant. Out of 74 sanctioned posts of Associate Professors, 40 are lying vacant while as 72 posts of Assistant Professors are lying vacant against the sanctioned strength of 125. Likewise, out of 232 posts of lecturers, 124 are lying vacant.

There is widespread appreciation among the faculty community that reduction of time bar for an Assistant Professor to become a Professor in nine years time will prove an incentive to the juniors and will make many vacancies available for new recruitment. It has also come to light that the Medical Council and Dental Council had been intermittently threatening de-recognition for the reason of lack of adequate faculty strength with them. Therefore the issue had become of much concern and now that looming threat will be lifted when fresh recruitment process begins.

We hope that along with the reforms in the services sector of the faculties, the Government will also take further measures to provide more efficient and more prompt medical services to the public. There should have been a clause to that purpose in the reformed rules of service for the medical faculties. Maybe the Minister for Medical Education will focus on that aspect also at some time.

Shriya Bhat Mission Hospital holds orthopaedic camp

Shriya Bhat Mission Hospital and Research Centre Jammu in collaboration with Deepda Health Care Trust Delhi organized a special orthopaedic management camp here today.

In the camp 75 patients suffering from different orthopaedic ailments were examined by the eminent Ortho Surgeon from Delhi. Dr Sanjay Sarup. The patients were provided with free medicines for one month and X rays were got done on spot. The patients were provided the Physiotherapy advices by the Physiotherapists on spot.

In his lecture Dr Sarup informed that some bone deformity cases were seen among the children particularly from rural areas of Jammu. He informed that today many patients who can not afford the operation etc were selected for future treatment in Delhi free of cost by the Deepda Health Care Trust.

Vir Ji Bhat, general secretary R K Pandita A O of the Mission Hospital gave a full brief about the working of the hospital and its outdoor activities. They informed that the Hospital is trying to provide the medical facilities to the needy and poor patients.

Free medical camp organised

New Young Blood Organisation (NYBO) in collaboration with Government Ayurvedic Hospital, Jammu and Graucer and Weil India Ltd, organised a free medical camp at Rakh Amb Tali.

MLA Samba, Yash Paul Kundal, presided over and DC Samba, Mubarak Singh, was the Chief Guest on the occasion.

More than five hundred patients were checked up within the camp by a team of doctors together with Dr Kamal Deep Katal, Dr Vasudha and Dr Neha Rani, within the supervision of Senior Medical Officer, Government Ayurvedic Hospital, Jammu, Dr Ashok Sharma.

Speaking on the occasion, Yash Paul Kundal praised the efforts of recent Young Blood Organisation and Government Ayurvedic Hospital, Jammu for organising such sort of camps.

Among others gift were AshokVerma, Neelam Singh Sambyal, Vinodh Kumar, Vikas Mankotia, K Deshpandey, Miss Pooja Kalsi, Sumit Singh Sambyal and plenty of others.

SIF organizes blood donation camp

Drug counter in SMHS non functional

 The Emergency medicine counter at Kashmir's premier hospital, Shri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) hospital, is non-functional for past three months inflicting in-convenience to the patients, who were forced to shop for the medication and medical gadgets from SKIMS hospital.

Principal Government Medical faculty (GMC) Srinagar, Dr Qazi Masood, whereas admitting that the drug counter is non-functional said it had been earlier run by former HOD medication, Dr Ganzaffar, however when his retirement, the new HOD, Dr Perwaiz Shah, refused to run it.

The Principal said that currently the GMC has taken over the drug counter and a committee has been fashioned that was currently doing stock verification of the counter. "Once the verification is over, the drug counter are going to be created operational", he said adding that for the time being the patients are asked to urge the medication and necessary gadgets from the SKIMS drug store.

However, for the past three months, the patients have to be compelled to go all the approach from SMHS to SKIMS hospital in Soura for the acquisition of the emergency medicine and necessary medical equipment from the SKIMS drug store.

The attendants of Hameeda Begum of Tral (MRD No. 37949) who is admitted at SMHS hospital, Srinagar had to buy the stunt and its accessories from SKIMS medicine sale counter last week.

Hameeda isn't the sole patient whose attendants had to travel to SKIMS for purchase of stunt, pacemaker or angiographic medical however all the patients are facing this downside for past over three months. 

There are around forty sizes of stunts and if the patient doesn't get the desired size of the stunt at the time he/she is on the operation table it will cause death of the patient, says a senior doctor at the SMHS.

The SMHS hospital conducts 4-5 angiographies a day and also the attendants of the patients have to be compelled to get angiography catheters, introducer sheeths, guide-wires, manifold, distinction dye and different medical equipment required for it from SKIMS counter. 

The pacemakers don't seem to be additionally out there at the drug counter and that they too are to be purchased from the SKIMS. 

Sources said that these all things were out there at the SMHS counter however are stopped for unknown reasons. The SMHS higher ups have given verbal directions to the SKIMS drug counter to supply medicine and equipment for the patients who are admitted in SMHS hospital. 

The hospitals did not purchase the equipment however totally different vendors keep it at the sales counter of the hospitals and patients had to form payment to the vendors when implantation of stunts and pacemakers.

The attendants of the patients are shocked over the difficulty and demanded that the emergency medicine and medical equipment ought to be created out there at SMHS drug counter.

Tainted Junior Doctor heads Valleys Prestigious Hospital

Panchkarma therapy started at Sarwal Hospital

Emergency hospital at Katra

GDC Principal in multi crore purchases

Court orders Vigilance probe against GDC Principal

Special choose Anti-Corruption Kashmir, Aijaz Ahmad Mir, has directed State Vigilance Organization (SVO) Kashmir wing to initiate investigations against Dr. Riyaz Farooq, Principal Government Dental faculty, Srinagar in multi-crore purchase scandal that surfaced within the GDC last month.

Taking cognizance of a grievance lodged by one Tanveer Hussain Khan through his counsel Shahid Ahmad Ronga, the Special choose Anti-Corruption Kashmir in his order directed Senior Superintendent of Police, Vigilance to require up the investigation of the case concerning multi-crore purchase scandal at Government Dental faculty, Srinagar.

"Senior Superintendent of Police, Vigilance Organization Kashmir is directed to require up the investigation of the case in terms of Section 156 (3) Criminal Procedure Code and intimate this court concerning the ultimate outcome of the investigation. Senior Superintendent of Police is additional directed that whereas conducting the investigation he shall offer audience to each the parties as mandated by the law and thereafter conclude the investigation of the case on deserves," wrote the choose in his order.

The complainant filed the grievance underneath Section 156 (3) of Criminal Procedure Code and prayed for the directions to the State Vigilance Organization to register an FIR against the accused Dr. Riyaz Farooq, Principal GDC-Srinagar. The complainant, who recorded his statement before the choose additionally prayed for initiation of the action as per law against the accused.

It is in place to say here that underneath Section 156 any officer accountable of a police station could, while not the order of a Magistrate, investigate any cognizable case that a court having jurisdiction over the native space at intervals the boundaries of such station which might have power to investigate the matter.

Amarnath pilgrims will now need to carry medical certificate

Under this section no continuing of a police officer in any such case shall at any stage be known as into question on the bottom that the case was one, that such officer wasn't empowered underneath this section to analyze.

It may be recalled here that the GDC authorities have purchased medical equipment value crores of rupees at higher rates than quoted by the corporate from that they purchased it. curiously, the rates quoted for the equipment by this company were terribly less as compared with the rates truly paid by the GDC authorities, each at Srinagar and Jammu.

The revelations concerning the scandal came to the fore when the Medical Superintendent, (Public data Officer) GDC saw the correct to data (RTI) application moved by Tanveer Hussain Khan. 

In his reply, the PIO said that GDC, Srinagar purchased digital panoramic X-ray machine model and build of ORTHOPOS XG five DS CEPH-Single Sensor (AERB approved) Rs. 46, 80, 000 lakh. The machine was equipped to the GDC, Srinagar by VILLA India, New Delhi.

The RTI applicant compared the rates paid by the GDC authorities with the one being offered by constant company. He found a distinction of Rs. 26, 00, 000 lakh between the particular purchases created and also the rates offered. 

The PIO in his reply said that the GDC, Srinagar purchased eight complete vertical rack sterilization systems from VILLA India, New Delhi from time to time. The distinction between the particular value and also the quantity paid was around Rs. 50, 00, 000 for eight systems.

Army organizes medical camp

In continuation with the ongoing development activities under the aegis of Gurj Division, 168 Infantry Brigade constructed the community hall and organised a much needed medical camp for the populace at village Badheri.

Major General G Sankaranarayanan, General Officer Commanding, Gurj Division, presided over the function.

Yashpaul Kundal, MLA Samba and Mubarak Singh, District Development Commissioner Samba also attended the function.

General Officer dedicated both the facilities during the inauguration ceremony to the population and the ex-servicemen of district Samba.

During the camp, the basic health facilities, physical check up, specialist facilities of Gynaecology, Eye, Orthopedic Surgeon, Medicine and ENT were provided to over 1200 patients hailing from areas in the hinterland.

Brigadier Santosh Kurup, Commander 168 Infantry Brigade, while addressing expressed his gratitude to the populace and District administration for their continued support in organizing successful Operation Sadbhavana activities.

Snow paralyses normal life in Valley

Photography workshop at Jammu University 

Fresh snowfall lashes hilly areas

Chib reviews functioning of GMC

Minister for Medical Education, Youth Services and Sports, R S Chib, today chaired a meeting of officers to review the functioning of Government Medical College, Jammu.

Mr. Chib took stock of the services being extended to the patients and asked the medicos and para-medicos to ensure the best diagnostic and treatment facilities to the patients. He asked the HoDs to make sure that the doctors especially trainers treat the patients in a cordial manner to avoid any unnecessary disturbance in the hospital. He also stressed upon the authorities to develop better coordination at all levels which is important for ensuring best services to the patients.

Referring to defunct diagnostic equipments in various units, the Minister assured that the same will be repaired or replaced as per the need at the earliest. He asked the concerned to immediately get all the minor works especially in the doctors hostels done. He stressed upon the concerned to ensure that the consultants are available round the clock so that the patients do not face any inconvenience.

The Minister also reviewed the stock position of medicines and other necessary equipments.

In view of heavy rush of patients and their attendants in the hospital, the Minister directed the concerned to make out an effective plan to ensure discipline and peaceful atmosphere for both the doctors and the patients.

Among others, Commissioner Secretary, Medical Education, G.A. Peer, Principal Government Medical College, Dr. Rajinder Singh, Vice Principal, Dr. Aniece Chowdhary, besides HoDs, HoUs, Administrator and Medical Superintendents of GMC and Associated Hospital attended the meeting.

Ramnagar village for herbal farming

Indian Institute of Integrated Medicine (IIIM) Jammu has decided to adopt village Incha (Kulwanta) in Ramnagar tehsil of Udhampur district for promoting herbal farming so as to exploit topography for the development of medicinal plants.

Dr Ram Vishwakarma, Director IIIM Jammu, who visited the area accompanied by Maj Gen Goverdhan Singh Jamwal, president J&K Ex-services League to help ex-servicemen and the locals, announced to encourage income generation activities by developing herbal products.

The IIIM Director laid stress on proper harvesting of Berberi (Rasaunt). He also suggested that area was very suitable for Mentha and Ashwagandha plantation. He promised to survey the area and provide processing unit.

SKIMS celebrates 29th Foundation Day

Paying glorious tributes to the founder of Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Soura, on its 29th Foundation Day, the Minister for Medical and Technical Education, R.S Chib said that prestigious Institute is a great gift of the late towering personality, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

He said establishing this institute was a great vision of the late personality for providing latest health facilities to the people and was realized as per aspiration of the people. Mr. Chib said till date lakhs of people have been benefited particularly poor and downtrodden and despite two decades turmoil, the Institute with its efforts provided all the necessary medical facilities to the common people, even during the last year's unrest period.

Earlier, the Minister for Forests, Environment and Ecology, Mian Altaf Ahmed while paying rich tributes to the founder of the SKIMS, hailed the efforts of the fraternity of this Institution for proving their mettle for curing the patients at their best level.

He said the Institution has distinction of producing number of specialists, surgeons, medical and paramedical staff. He said the products of this Institution not only served the people of the State but also received laurels at national and International level.

Lauding the role played by the medical fraternity in ameliorating the sufferings of the people of the State and providing best quality medicare, he said there is scope of improvement at this front.

However, he said , the common people ,particularly those who are not economically strong to go out side the State for necessary treatment have a great expectations from this Institution and added the Government is also making every effort to equip the Institution with latest medical tools and infrastructural facilities.

Later, Professor Upender Koul, Dean Fortis Escorts, Delhi delivered SK oration lecture and talked about interventional cardiology of eluting vanishing stents, a journey of five decades.

Earlier, the Director SKIMS Dr Showket Ahmed Zargar highlighted the achievements of the Institution.

He said that SKIMS University is also imparting short term/elective training courses to the students of Jammu and Kashmir pursuing medical/engineering/physiotherapy/technology courses in the Institutions/universities within or outside the State.

Emergency hospital at Katra

N. N. Vohra, Governor, inaugurated a newly constructed 30-bedded Emergency Hospital at Katra, the Base Camp of the Holy Shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Deviji today.This double-storey Hospital, with a plinth area of about 25,000 square feet, has been completed in 20 months by the Jammu and Kashmir Police Housing Corporation, at a cost of Rs. 5.80 crore. The Hospital is equipped with modern diagnostic and treatment facilities. Speaking on the occasion, the Governor congratulated Sham Lal Sharma, Minister for Health, the State Health Department and the Police Housing Corporation for completion of this Hospital within good time. He emphasized the need for the quality of emergency healthcare facilities being maintained at Katra, particularly keeping in view the emerging needs of the people of the area and the progressively increasing number of Yatris. He added that this newly constructed Emergency Hospital would need to particularly provide medical attention in the areas of Cardiology, Orthopaedics and Surgery to see that there is a progressive decline in the number of patients who are referred to the Government Medical College, Jammu.

The Governor said that with the arrival of train services at Katra in the coming months the number of Yatris directly reaching here will go up considerably and, therefore, there is a need to plan, without any further delay, all vital facilities like wide internal roads, water and power supplies, sanitation, traffic management, etc. to particularly meet the further needs.

Referring to the various development schemes taken up by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, the Governor, who is the Chairman of the Shrine Board, observed that the upcoming Material Ropeway Project between Siar Dabri to Bhawan and Passenger Ropeway from Bhawan to Bhairo Ghati are aimed to meet the future requirement of the fast increasing pilgrimage. He added that these two projects are estimated to cost about Rs. 65 crore. He added that Board has also undertaken several other major development projects, for the benefit of the Yatris.The Governor was honoured on the occasion by presenting a memento to him by Sham Lal Sharma, Health Minister. The Governor went around the various sections of the Hospital Complex and enquired about the diagnostic and treatment facilities made available for the patients.Sham Lal Sharma, Minister for Health, thanked the Governor for taking keen interest in the development of the State, particularly in promotion of healthcare services across the State. He dwelt on various measures which have been taken by the Government to provide best possible medicare to the people in the State. He lauded the State Police Housing Corporation for constructing the hospital building in the shortest possible time frame.

Baldev Raj Sharma, MLA, Reasi, thanked the Governor and the Shrine Board for taking varied initiatives that have led to increase in the pilgrimage,which is expected to cross one crore this year. He referred to several development-related demands of the area. Dr. Madhu Khullar, Director Health Services, Jammu, in her welcome address dwelt on the facilities to be provided at this newly constructed Emergency Hospital. Dr. Adarsh Kumar, Chief Medical Officer, Reasi, presented a Vote of Thanks.R. K. Goyal, Principal Secretary to the Governor  and Chief Executive Officer of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Commissioner/Secretary, Health, G. A. Peer, Dr. Mandeep K. Bhandari, Additional CEO of the Shrine Board, Jagjit Kumar, DIG Udhampur, P. K. Pole, Deputy Commissioner,Reasi, Keshav Chaurasia, SSP Reasi, M. A. Shah, Managing Director, Police Housing Corporation, Heads of Departments and prominent citizens were present on the occasion.