SRINAGAR, NOVEMBER 12 (KNO) : Minister of State for Health and Medical Education, Asiea Naqash late yesterday evening paid a surprise visit to the GP Pant Pediatric Hospital Sonawar to inspect the functioning of the institute, besides taking stock of the services being made available to the patients there. The Minister during her visit inspected various wards of the hospital and interacted with the patients and their attendants besides enquiring about the medicare facilities being provided by the hospital authorities to them. She highlighted the importance of better maternity care and said that Asha and Anganwari workers are playing an important role in creating awareness among the people about the healthcare facilities available under different government-run schemes including NRHM. She stressed for regular cleanliness of the wards and corridors besides maintaining proper sanitation at the hospital. The Minister asked the hospital authorities to equip the centre with latest diagnostic facilities and other equipment to ensure availability of all medicare facilities to the patients within the health institute.(KNO)