Srinagar, Sep 2 (GNS): Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday handed over appointment orders to newly appointed Medical Officers of the Health & Medical Education Department at a ceremony held at SKICC here.
Personally handing over the orders to the recruits appointed across Jammu and Kashmir, the Chief Minister congratulated them and said their appointment marked the culmination of years of hard work and sacrifice by them and their families.
Addressing the gathering, Omar Abdullah said people approach doctors in their most difficult moments and see a ray of hope in them. He urged the new doctors to serve wherever they are posted, especially in remote and underserved areas, to reduce the referral burden on hospitals in Jammu and Srinagar.
He said routine procedures like normal deliveries, gallbladder and appendicitis surgeries should be available at sub-district and district level hospitals and expressed hope that the new appointees would help change the current referral practice.
The Chief Minister said the Government is paying special attention to education and health as the foundation for J&K’s progress and assured the doctors of better service conditions, infrastructure and connectivity.
He said J&K continues to heavily subsidise medical education to make it affordable and has increased intake capacity of medical colleges in coordination with the Centre to create a larger pool of doctors for public service.
“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 can be proud of you,” Omar Abdullah said.
Minister for Health & Medical Education Sakina Itoo, Advisor to CM Nasir Aslam Wani, Commissioner Secretary H&ME M Raju, MD NHM Akriti Sagar, faculty members and parents of appointees were present on the occasion.(GNS)
