NEW DELHI, MARCH 15 (KNO) : Minister for Health & Medical Education, Bali Bhagat today met with the Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, J.P. Nadda at New Delhi and discussed the overall health scenario of the State.
Union Secretary for Health & Family Welfare, Ms Preeti Sudan and other senior officers of the Ministry and Joint Director Planning, Health & ME, J&K, Madan Lal were also present in the meeting.
The issues which were prominently discussed in the meeting included the status of various on-going health projects approved under PMDP for which Rs. 632.67 crore stands released out of total sanctioned package of Rs. 900 crore. Bali apprised that these projects are at different stages and being monitored by the authorities for their timely completion. He stressed the need for release of remaining funds to the tune of Rs. 267.33 crore for taking up the other projects which have been identified in the State for upgradation of health infrastructure.
The status of State Level Cancer Institute, five Medical Colleges was also discussed in detail. It was informed that an amount of Rs. 355 crore stands released for the construction of medical colleges during the year 2017-18 and work is in orogress.. As regard State Level Cancer Institute, the queries of the Union Ministry will be replied soon to clear the bottlenecks.
Nadda assured to convey approval for the remaining amount of the PMDP soon and said that funds will be no constraints in the upgradation of health infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir and called for speeding up the activities to complete the on-going projects in time. He directed the officers of his Ministry to examine all pending proposals and clear them on priority. He said the Government of India wants to commission all five Medical Colleges during the year 2018-19 and State Government must make efforts to achieve the target. He also called for starting the process for the selection of faculty, other relevant staff and allied facilities to make these colleges functional in time.
Bali conveys his gratitude to the Union Minister and his team of officers for prioritizing the Jammu & Kashmir in addressing its health related requirements. He said Jammu and Kashmir being a hilly terrain and backward State needs to be given special treatment and adequate funding for strengthening the health services in the difficult areas.(KNO)