Srinagar, Sep 02 (KNO): Asserting that people often approach doctors during the most difficult moments of their lives, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday termed them as “last ray of hope” for the patients.
Addressing a function at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) here after handing over appointment orders to newly recruited Medical Officers, Chief Minister Omar, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), urged newly appointed Medical Officers to serve people with dedication, particularly in remote and far-flung areas.
He said, “Joining government service marked the beginning of a new chapter in their lives and came with greater responsibility, particularly in the health sector.”
“People have high expectations from you. In the most difficult of times, when people go in search of someone, they go in search of a doctor. Some people will reach you when they have given up all their hopes, and they will see the last ray of hope in you,” he said.
The Chief Minister acknowledged the years of hard work, medical education, training, internship and recruitment process through which the doctors had secured their appointments, while also recognising the sacrifices made by their parents and families.
He, urged the newly appointed doctors not to limit themselves to urban centres and to accept postings in remote and underserved areas. “I know that when we tell you that we want you to work in remote areas, perhaps none of you would like to listen. Who would want to leave the comforts of Srinagar or Jammu and go to Mathseer, Tangdhar, Teetwal, cross the Razdan or serve in Pader in Kishtwar or remote areas of Poonch?” CM Omar said.
He said government service carried expectations on both sides, with doctors entitled to proper infrastructure, connectivity and working conditions, while the government expected them to ensure that people in far-flung areas had access to basic healthcare.
“You will expect from us that you should not face any kind of difficulty in service, that you should get the right kind of infrastructure so that you can do your work properly,” he said.
CM Omar said improving healthcare delivery at the grassroots was necessary to reduce pressure on hospitals in Srinagar and Jammu, noting that patients were often referred to major cities even for routine procedures that could be handled at district or sub-district hospitals.
“Our effort should be that we serve the people. Normal deliveries, gallbladder and appendicitis surgeries, these should be available at the sub-district level and at least at the district level where they cannot be provided at the sub-district level. But often we see that patients are sent from those hospitals to Srinagar or Jammu,” he said.
He said the government would have to improve healthcare infrastructure and service conditions to support doctors working in difficult and remote locations.
The Chief Minister also shared an anecdote about doctors who had earlier approached him over a posting they considered difficult, saying that a change in mindset was needed towards serving in areas outside major urban centres.
“We have to change the future of J&K. To change the future, we have to pay special attention to two things education and health,” he said.
Describing education and health as the foundation of Jammu and Kashmir’s development, Omar said progress in other sectors would not achieve its full potential unless people were educated and healthy.
He said the government had invested substantially in both sectors and was continuing to subsidise medical education in J&K to make it more accessible to students.
“Compared to other states, we keep the fees of our medical colleges much less. We happily accept this expense because we want more doctors to be made,” he said.
CM Omar said the government had also increased the intake capacity of medical colleges in J&K in coordination with the Centre so that more doctors could be trained and eventually contribute to public healthcare.
Assuring the newly appointed Medical Officers of continued government support, he said, “We will improve your service conditions so that you can carry out your work without fear. We will also improve your infrastructure. And in medical colleges, wherever there is a shortage, we will also improve it.”
He urged the doctors to use their long careers in government service to contribute meaningfully to Jammu and Kashmir and serve people with dedication and compassion.
“You have entered the Government of Jammu and Kashmir. Please do your work with that spirit, with the hope that people see you in these positions, and with the hope that your parents and family, who helped you reach here by making sacrifices and supporting you, can be proud of you,” he said.
The Chief Minister congratulated the newly appointed Medical Officers and wished them a successful career in public service.
Minister for Health and Medical Education Sakina Itoo, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Commissioner Secretary Health and Medical Education M Raju, Mission Director National Health Mission J&K Akriti Sagar, faculty members, newly appointed Medical Officers and their parents were present on the occasion—(KNO)