J&K needs expert docs, access to newer technologies

Minister for Health, Horticulture and Floriculture, Mr. Sham Lal Sharma has said that more needs to be done to improve infrastructure and manpower in rural areas and added that the government is working on a well-knit long-term policy to ensure quality healthcare services for the people of the State. 
Favouring private investment in health sector, the Minister said public-private partnership is the need of the hour as our State needs access to newer technologies and super-specialist doctors to treat patients. 
The Minister said this while addressing the concluding session of the two-day Consultative Workshop on accelerating improvements in Public Private Partnership (PPP), organized by Health and Medical Education Department at SKICC, here today.
Reiterating his resolve in providing better medicare facilities to the people, he said focused attention would be accorded to the health sector so that people are not deprived of this fundamental amenity.
Underlying the need for an attitudinal change in the mindset of the doctors and paramedics, Mr. Sham Lal said a complete missionary zeal is required which can help in improving the healthcare system on-ground. 
Expressing concern over commercialization of health sector in the State, the Minister said that serving patients should be the priority of the doctors rather than making money. “A new direction and better working environment is required that suits both doctors and patients especially at primary and secondary level health institutions and we are working to achieve exactly that,” the Minister said, adding there is no dearth of good doctors in the State.
Once again emphasizing his stress on discouraging referral system, Mr. Sham Lal said adequate transparency has been established to arrest rush of patients at tertiary care centres. “Adequate facilities are available at PHCs and district hospitals. A strict monitoring is required to curb needless referrals to avoid responsibility”, the Minister asserted.
Expressing gratitude to the visiting faculties for coming over to the State for the workshop, Mr. Sharma said their valuable views and roadmap would be implemented and used as a guiding force for improving healthcare system in the State. He thanked all the participants on behalf of the government and sought their continuous support and cooperation for making further improvements in delivery mechanism in the health sector. 
He also conveyed his thanks to Founder Director, SKIMS, Dr. A. K. Nagpal, Principal Secretary, Health & Family Welfare, Government of Gujarat, Dr. Amarjeet Singh and eminent Professor and Medical Superintendent, AIIMS, New Delhi, Dr. Shakti Gupta for sparing their valuable time and gracing this important event. He also gave mementoes to the experts.
Earlier, the visiting dignitaries gave power-point presentations on their works in the field of medicare and public-private partnership and held wide ranging discussions on the subject. They suggested various measures for improving the existing medicare facilities in the State, which includes involvement of “Triple P”. They appreciated the initiatives and keenness of the government in this direction.
The experts also answered queries of the participants pertaining to healthcare sector. All senior officers and doctors including Commissioner/Secretary, Health & Medical Education, Mr. Atal Dulloo were present on the occasion.
Director, Family Welfare, Dr. Kulbushan Pandotra thanked the gathering for making the workshop a success.