PM Modi virtually lays foundation of 13 CCBs; dedicates 6 FSWs for J&K
Jammu, Feb 25: Asserting that his government prioritised prevention of the disease in tandem with bolstering capability to fight it, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday virtually laid foundation stone of 13 Critical Care Projects and dedicated 6 modified Food Safety on Wheels (FSWs) in J&K from Rajkot, Gujarat.
13 Critical Care Blocks (CCB) are to be constructed at an approved cost of Rs 350.25 Cr. Out of them, 7 CCBs are approved at a cost of Rs 207.75 Cr under Pradhan Mantri-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) while six CCBs are approved at a cost of Rs 142.50 Cr under Emergency COVID Response Plans-II (ECRP-II).
6 FSWs of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) dedicated for J&K amounted to Rs 2.63 Cr.
These projects were part of more than 200 health care infrastructure projects, worth over Rs 11,500 Cr, dedicated to the nation (including 5 AIIMS) or initiated by the Prime Minister across 23 states and Union Territories from Rajkot.
The foundation-laying and inauguration of these mega projects in different parts of the country, including J&K, was streamed live. In J&K, the main UT level event was held at Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu which was attended by the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha through video-conferencing from Raj Bhawan, Jammu.
In Kashmir division, the main event was streamed live at Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Bemina while the district level events were presided over by the concerned District Development Commissioners.
While addressing the gathering at Rajkot, the Prime Minister said, “The multiple development projects worth more than Rs 48,100 Cr, pertaining to different sectors, including health, which have been inaugurated or initiated today in Rajkot are demonstrating the resolve of the government to make India world’s third largest economy by getting work done at a very fast pace. When Modi guarantees to make India the world’s third largest economic superpower, the goal is health for all and prosperity for all.”
“In the past 10 years, the healthcare system of India has witnessed a revolutionary transformation. Our government has prioritized the prevention of disease as well as enhanced capacity to fight it,” he said while highlighting the emphasis on nutrition, Yoga, Ayush and cleanliness.
“We are taking the government out of Delhi and encouraging the trend of holding important national events outside Delhi. Some time ago I was in J&K from where I inaugurated IIT Bhilai, IIT Tirupati, IIITDM Kurnool, IIM Bodh Gaya, IIM Jammu, IIM Visakhapatnam and IIS Kanpur. Today’s event marks the inauguration of AIIMS Rajkot, AIIMS Raebareli, AIIMS Mangalagiri, AIIMS Bathinda and AIIMS Kalyani. New India is finishing tasks at a rapid pace, this is evident especially when you look at these 5 AIIMS,” PM Modi said.
Recalling his long association with Rajkot, he got emotional as he said, “22 years ago, I was elected as an MLA from here. I’ve done my best to live up to the trust of the people of Rajkot. If today, I’m getting love and blessings from the entire country, the credit goes to Rajkot also. Now when the whole country is gearing up to bless the NDA for its third term with the slogan “Ab Ki Baar, 400 Paar”, I extend my gratitude to Rajkot and its people. I can see that generations have changed but affection for Modi is beyond age and gender.”
Apologizing for the delay in today’s programme, the Prime Minister updated the gathering about his busy schedule in Dwaraka earlier where he inaugurated and laid the foundation stones of many development works including Sudarsan Setu. He also narrated his divine experience of offering prayer at the submerged holy city of Dwarka.
“Today marks a historic occasion not just for Rajkot but the entire nation. Today’s event in Rajkot presents a glimpse of the desired levels of health facilities of the world’s fifth largest economy in Viksit Bharat. The nation had only one AIIMS for 50 years of independence, that too in Delhi. Even though seven AIIMS were commissioned during the seven decades of independence, some of them couldn’t be completed. In the last 10 days, the nation has witnessed the foundation stone laying and inauguration of seven new AIIMS,” the Prime Minister remarked.
He asserted that the present government accomplished things at a faster pace than what was done in the last 70 years, thereby taking the country on the path of development.
He said, "The inauguration of five AIIMS demonstrated that ‘Modi ki Guarantee' means the guarantee of fulfillment of guarantee.’ This also explains why people have faith in Modi. They know that Modi’s guarantee begins where expectations from others end.”
The Prime Minister said that the pandemic could be handled in a credible manner due to the improvements in the healthcare system and infrastructure in the last 10 years.
“There are more than 1.5 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs in villages for small ailments. Today, the number of medical colleges has reached 706 from 387 in 2014; there are more than 1 lakh MBBS seats as compared to 50,000 ten years ago; there are 70,000 post-graduate seats, up from 30,000 in 2014. More doctors will come out of these colleges in the next few years than the number of doctors in the entire 70 years since independence. There is Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission worth Rs 64,000 Cr going on in the country. Today’s event also saw projects like medical colleges, TB hospital and research centre, PGI satellite centres, critical care blocks and dozens of ESIC hospitals,” PM Modi enumerated achievements in the health sector.
He underlined the commitment to promoting both traditional Indian medicine and modern medicine. “We are helping the poor and middle class save money while also availing better healthcare facilities,” the Prime Minister said while referring to the Ayushman Bharat Yojna, which, he said, helped save Rs 1 lakh Cr and Jan Aushadhi Centres that provide medicines at an 80 percent discount thereby saving Rs 30,000 Cr.
13 CRITICAL CARE BLOCKS IN J&K
The foundation stone for 100 bedded Critical Care Block (CCB) units in J&K were laid at Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu and District Hospital Budgam and for 50 bedded Critical Care Block units at District Hospital Kulgam; GMC Baramulla; GMC Rajouri; GMC Kathua; Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Bemina; District Hospital Pulwama; District Hospital Kupwara; District Hospital Reasi; Primary Health Centre (PHC) Sonamarg; District Hospital Poonch and District Hospital Shopian.
Officials stated that these Critical Care Units would provide services of emergency, surgical and intensive care. “Most of the critical care services, at present, are confined to tertiary care level with limited access to secondary care and referral transport systems. The top five causes of mortality Coronary Artery Disease, COPD, Stroke, Diarrheal Diseases, Neonatal disorders shall be managed timely at the level of these units itself, it will not only reduce the burden on tertiary care facilities but will also reduce the out of pocket expenses significantly,” they said.
It was pointed out that the COVID pandemic highlighted the need for critical care facilities, especially at the level of the districts. “The objective was to augment the capacity of the district for assured treatment and management of patients with infectious diseases or critical illnesses by creating Critical Care Hospital Blocks or wings at District Hospitals and Medical Colleges,” it was stated.
They said that the current architecture of the public hospitals was not equipped fully to handle the dual burden of meeting critical care needs and maintaining essential services as was seen during the two waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Many hospital buildings, especially in districts, do not have provision for segregating a part of the building as an infectious disease treatment block or wing,” they pointed out, while explaining the objective behind CCBs to be set up.
These 100 and 50-bedded Critical Care Hospital Block or wings would be self-contained and be equipped with critical, supportive and ancillary services such as Emergency area, Intensive Care Units (ICU), Isolation Wards/Oxygen supported beds, Surgical unit, two Labour, Delivery, Recovery rooms (LDRs) with one new-born care corner. These blocks or wings would also be supported with Medical Gas Pipeline Systems, Oxygen generation plants/oxygen supply, Air Handling Units (AHUs) etc. and mechanism for Infection Prevention Control.
FOOD SAFETY ON WHEELS
After dedication of six “Food Safety on Wheels” – mobile food testing laboratories by the Prime Minister for J&K virtually, FSSAI, through a post on ‘X’, said, “#JammuandKashmir’s #food safety gets a boost! Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi dedicates 6 cutting-edge mobile Food Safety on Wheels (#FSWs), enhancing testing capabilities and spreading awareness to the farthest corners of the Union Territory.”
Each FSW- full-fledged lab, well equipped with advanced facilities, will be operational for two rural districts in Kashmir and Jammu division and one each will be dedicated for Srinagar and Jammu districts.
The objective is to address the issue of lack of food testing infrastructure in the remote area and also to spread awareness to the consumer and impart training to the general public and Food Business Operators including food vendors on various aspects of food safety and hygiene practices.
FSWs and Microbiological Section established would be out of the funds provided by FSSAI under MoU.
