Improving medicare facilities in rurals areas a priority: Omar

, Aug 4: Upgrading medicare facilities and modernisation of government health institutions particularly in rural areas are the focused areas in the policy planning of Jammu and Kashmir government, Chief Minister

today said.

"Health sector, flagged as one of the most important sectors, has received concentrated attention for improvement, expansion and consolidation during the last over five years," Omar said after inaugurating a CT Scan machine and other modern facilities at Baramulla District Hospital in north Kashmir. The Chief Minister said CT Scan machines have been also provided at Handwara, Kulgam and Anantnag hospitals to ensure modern health care facilities to the people.

"This initiative will help to reduce unnecessary referrals to tertiary hospitals and save the precious time to diagnose the ailment and provide prompt treatment," he said. Omar said there is a proposal to provide CT Scan machines to all district and other important hospitals where this facility is not presently available. The government has also provided latest equipment like Laparoscope, Cardiograph Machine, Doppler, etc in various hospitals so that people can avail the best health facilities in the government hospitals, he said.

Omar said Primary Health Centres and District Hospitals are being upgraded and improved. "Attention is also being paid to provide more doctors and paramedical staff to the hospitals in the state. Under NHRM, posting of doctors in rural hospitals has received a considerable fillip," he said.

The Chief Minister said with the setting up of new medical college in Baramulla, health facilities in the district will improve.

PTI