MP Mian Altaf concerned over deficiencies in J&K healthcare system

Srinagar, Aug 2: National Conference (NC)  Member of Parliament (MP)  Mian Altaf Ahmad today expressed concern over the  deficiencies in J&K healthcare system.

He was speaking during the discussion on demand for grants for the health and family welfare in Lok Sabha. The MP urged the government to curb the supply and sale of spurious drugs in Jammu and Kashmir. Mian Altaf Ahmad demanded  a cancer hospital in Jammu and Kashmir.

He  said, “The cancer disease is spreading and those affected  by the disease also suffer financially. I urge the government to further reduce the cost of cancer treatment and medicines. I also appeal  the government to take measures against the rapidly growing diabetes disease and make progress in its treatment and medication.”

Mian Altaf also raised the issue of lack of facilities in twin medical colleges in his parliamentary constituency Anantnag-Rajouri. "There are two medical colleges in my constituency, which were opened seven  years ago but are not yet fully equipped.  The government medical college Anantnag is still without any MRI facility causing hardships to the people. There is a hospital in Rajouri- Poonch, which also lacks facilities," he said.

The  senior NC leader said that there is need to consolidate and improve the healthcare facilities in these medical colleges. “I request health minister J P Nadda ji to personally intervene," he said.

The NC MP further said that the autonomy of one of the oldest health institutions Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) in Soura area of Srinagar has been snatched. "While we welcome AIIMS in Jammu, the government has taken away the autonomy of Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences in Soura. With Article 370 abrogation, ending the autonomy of J&K was part of BJP's agenda and not ending the autonomy of SKIMS. The institute faces a lot of issues in treatment and patient care and hospital management," he  said.

Mian Altaf also urged the government to fill the vacancies of dental surgeons in Jammu and Kashmir.