Serve in rural areas with commitment: CM to young doctors

Asking the young medicos to live up to the expectations of the people by serving the needy and poor in the far-flung and backward pockets of the State, the Chief Minister, Mr. Omar Abdullah Friday said that the inhabitants of these areas require focused attention in the core sector of health care. He asked them to render their service there as an obligation and commitment towards the State. 
Addressing the 15th Foundation Day function of Acharya Shri Chander College of Medical Sciences (ASCOMS), Sidhra here, he said that the younger doctors should volunteer to serve in rural and remote areas and come up to the expectations of the people. “I do not want you to renounce the comforts of metropolitans but expect you to devote some of your service in the rural areas”, he said and added that Government incurs lot of expenditure on the education of doctors and expects them to contribute towards the people and the State by way of serving the poor in the rural areas.
The Chief Minister said that it has been observed that the pressure in the Government hospitals in the cities is because most of the doctors in rural areas do not stay there. “This practice should go and the medicos especially the younger generation should be more duty-bound”, he said and added that when there are sufficient facilities in the rural hospitals and health centres to attend most of the medical cases, he found no reason why patients visit city hospitals even for minor surgeries and treatment.
Mr. Abdullah said that Government has taken measures to ensure adequate health care facilities in the rural and remote areas besides the towns and cities, “It is in the hands of medical fraternity especially younger generation to deliver on the ground”. 
Minister for Health and Medical Education, Mr. Sham Lal Sharma was also present on the occasion.
The Chief Minister referring to the demands presented by Swami Prem Vivekanand Ji on behalf of President, ASCOMS, Swami Chandra Ji in his welcome address, said that he would look into these and discuss with the concerned for appropriate action.
Swami Ji in his welcome address highlighted certain matters pertaining to the supply of drinking water, fee reservation, allotment of land, etc. He also thanked the Chief Minister on behalf of the management and the society of ASCOMS. 
The Director and Principal of the Institution Dr. V. K. Gandotra in his annual report said that 800 graduates and 36 post-graduates have passed out from the institution. He said that the institution also runs a Nursing School with seven branches with intake capacity of 100 seats. He said the school is in the process of upgradation to the Nursing College. He said the faculties of this institution have also made a mark on the national scene adding that the contributions of the members of various disciplines of this institution find place in the national and international scientific journals 
Earlier, Chief Minister visited various units of the hospital and inspected the health care facilities being provided to the patients there.
Among others, Vice Chancellor, Jammu University Prof. Varun Sahani, Vice President Shree Chander Chinar Bada Akhara, Udasin Society, Mr. Dharamvir Batra, former Deputy Chief Minister, Mr. Mangat Ram Sharma, Principal Government Medical College, Jammu Dr. Rajinder Singh, trustees of the college, faculty members and students were present on the occasion.