Seminar on 'Health Care Management in J&K' organised by IIPA, J&K Regional Branch

IIPA, J&K Regional branch organised a seminar on “Health Care Management in J&K” in an effort to take an objective view at the prevailing health care conditions in the state and also to look at the measures that need to be taken in order to take the health sector in the state to world class level. The Hon’ble Minister for Health and Medical Education, Shri Bali Bhagat was the Chief Guest at the seminar. In his address he congratulated IIPA for taking up an issue of immense relevance to the general public. He talked about the initiatives taken by the government to look into the needs of the masses such as providing immediate relief to the patients and coming up to the expectations of the patients including provision of clean hospitals, effective nursing, easy availability of medicines etc. He said that the need is to change the general perception of the masses by taking strict action against defaulters such as monitoring pilferage of medicines, cleanliness and hygiene in hospitals etc.

Dr. B.S. Pathania in his remarks spoke about the relevance of public health as the corner stone of the health care system. He talked about the government schemes introduced specifically for the elderly and for the women and assured of the improved healthcare system in the near future. He laid special emphasis on the improvement of healthcare services in the rural areas.

Dr. Ashok Bhan, IPS (Retd.), patron IIPA J&K regional branch in his presidential remarks pointed out thatprevention is the most neglected area in health and therefore equal attention needsto be given to prevention and a policy needs to be framed. He further suggested finding a middle path by making health facilities affordable and easily available. This he said can be done through training, bringing quality and special attention to vulnerable groups.

Earlier Dr. C. M. Seth, Vice Chairman, IIPA, J&K Regional branch formally welcomed the speakers and introduced them to the gathering while also introducing the theme of the seminar. A total of six speakers from the public as well as private health sectors spoke on various challenges facing the healthcare system in the state of J&K. In his key note address, Dr. H.L. Goswamy, Former Principal, Govt. Medical College, Jammu informed that the infrastructure in the state has improved substantially with a larger number of hospitals opening even at the district and rural levels. He also outlined various initiatives undertaken by the state including the drug policy, nursing council act and paramedical act etc. Dr. Romesh Gupta, Medical Supdt, Govt. Medical College, Hospital, Jammu gave an overview of the evolution of GMC, SMGS and all the associated hospitals suggesting he extent of work being done by these hospitals. In his presentation, he talked about the status of manpower in these hospitals pointing out that the shortage of staff is a huge limitation which poses as a challenge in providing basic facilities to the patients.Dr. Arun Sharma, Deputy Medical Supdt. Govt. Hospital Gandhi Nagar, Jammu, talked about the current scenario and challenges at the district hospitals in the state. Through his presentation, he outlined the problems being faced by the hospitals due to the overburdening of the hospitals coupled with no facilities resulting in poor quality of healthcare. Dr. Manohar Rana, BMO Sohanjana, talked about the health care management at the primary level. While presenting the overview, he talked about three components of primary services- immunization, maternal services and provision of essential drugs. He highlighted the importance of inter- sectoral coordination with the public works, NGO, education social welfare etc. Brig (Dr) M.M.Harjai, Chief Administrative Officer, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital Katra, spoke on the need for a private-public-partnership model and its relevance in the improvement of the healthcare system in the state of J&K as well as across the country. He said that despite the improvements in the healthcare facilities, there is still a huge gap between the desired and actual facilities. Dr. Meenakshi Dutt Sudan, Sudan Heart Care Centre, Jammu,while speaking about the present scenario outlined that the role of nursing homes has been nominal in specialty care. She pointed out that the private sector has a direct relationship with the socio-economic strata and made suggestions for the improvement of the system.

Later, the audience actively participated in the discussion and posed several relevant questions to the speakers. Prof. Alka Sharma, Director Seminars, IIPA, J&K Regional branch presented a detailed report on the proceedings of the seminar while Dr.Komal Nagar, Joint Director Seminars, IIPA conducted the proceeding of the seminar. Er. J. B. S. Johar, Hony Secretary IIPA presented a formal vote of thanks. The seminar was attended by members of IIPA, representatives from the public and private health care centres and members from the civil society.