STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Giving further boost to the up-gradation of infrastructural facilities in the AYUSH sector, Minister for Health and Medical Education, Bali Bhagat has laid foundation stone of Rs.8.46 crore additional block in the premises of Ayurvedic Hospital here on Saturday.
The proposed project, consisting of five-storey building (including stilted floor, upper ground floor plus three floors) with total plinth area of 17,360 sq. ft will be constructed in two phases. Under first phase, two floors will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs. 3.89 crore and under second phase which will comprise three floors will cost Rs. 4.57 crore. For taking up of first phase, an amount of Rs. 1.45 crore has been released to the Department of Roads and Buildings, which is the executing agency for the project.
MLA Rajesh Gupta, Secretary (Tech), Health & Medical Education and Director Indian System of Medicines (ISM), Dr. Abdul Kabir Dar, prominent personalities, besides doctors of ISM and BAMS students were also present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that it is serious endeavor of the Government to promote AYUSH sector, which has a great potential and demand in Jammu and Kashmir. He said over the past two decades, the AYUSH has become very popular and patient flow increased manifold. The AYUSH being an ancient and traditional diagnostic system in India has its own importance and more and more people are reiterating their faith in this system which is quite safe and without any side effect. In Jammu and Kashmir, the facility of AYUSH consultation and treatment is available in every Allopathic Hospitals, Government Medical Colleges, besides its own network in almost every block of the state.
The services in the rural health institutions are mostly run by the AYUSH doctors, said Bali Bhagat.
MLA Rajesh Gupta thanked the Minister for paying focused attention to upgrade the services in the AYUSH Hospital and creating additional accommodation which was mandatory in view of the increased workload. He announced funds for purchase of an Ultra Sound machine for the Ayurvedic Hospital from his Constituency Funds.