Kashmir first state to get new child health programme

Jammu and Kashmir Monday become the first state in India to launch the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakaram (RBSK) Project Swasthya Slate.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and New and Renewable Energy Minister Farooq Abdullah inaugurated a 220-bed super-speciality hospital here besides launching the RBSK Project Swasthya Slate and the 102 referral service under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM).

Congratulating the people for getting this special health care institution, Azad said he was optimistic about the successful functioning of this prestigious centre which will play a key role in perking up medicare facilities in the state.

He said the focus was on extending optimum relief to the people and thus save them from waiting for months in other states for special health care services.

"We have not only given new dimensions to the health sector, but all development fields have witnessed a discernible change in the past 4-5 years.

He said one more medical college has been sanctioned for Rajouri district, thus raising the total number of newly-sanctioned medical colleges in the state to five.

Azad said the union government has given the nod to 75 new cancer institutions in the country compared to only one such centre in the last 65 years.

On the shortage of medical faculty in the state, Azad asked the state government to enhance the retirement age of doctors so that the health sector does not suffer for want of adequate staff.

The health minister said the union government has extended massive financial support to all states irrespective of any political, social or religious considerations.

There has been a tremendous increase in the number of people availing benefits of government programmes which reflects their faith and trust in government services.

Abdullah thanked the union government for its special consideration towards development of Jammu and Kashmir in view of its tough terrain.