Strengthening health infrastructure is priority: J&K LG Murmu

Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Girish Chandra Murmu on Tuesday said that the Government has put the strengthening of healthcare infrastructure across the Union Territory as one of it's key priorities.

Speaking at the oath-taking ceremony of Nursing students of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi College of Nursing at Kakryal in Reasi and Annual Day function of the institution held at the Matrika Auditorium, the Lt Governor emphasised on expanding and strengthening of healthcare facilities in J&K and highlighted various initiatives being taken by the government to provide the best possible medi-care facilities to the people, particularly in the remote and border areas.

"Aimed at achieving the objective of extending the facilities of affordable healthcare to even the most relegated sections of the society; the Government has made functional new Government Medical Colleges and further, two AIIMS are being established in J&K", he maintained.

Referring to the Lamp Lighting and Oath Taking Ceremony, the Lt Governor, who is also the Chairman of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, observed that it was an important occasion for every nursing student as it marked the commitment of a nurse to adhere to the highest professional values and standards.

He congratulated the student nurses for embarking on a noble profession like nursing which is a vital component of any healthcare system and lauded their parents for choosing the profession of nursing for their wards.

The Lt Governor underlined the importance of capacity building of the Nursing College through collaborations with the Nursing Institutions of repute for providing top quality nursing education to the students at the said institution.

He called for exploring the opportunities of job placements for the passing-out students of the Nursing College for their better career prospects.

The Lt Governor observed that in the time of rapid healthcare infrastructure development, the role of professional Nursing colleges becomes much more significant as it would be these colleges that would complement the Government's efforts by making available trained and professionals workforce from the region itself.

He impressed upon the student nurses to serve the humanity with the commitment and dedication.

At the same time, he advised the medical professional to take care of themselves as well. He also congratulated the management, faculty and staff of SMVD College of Nursing.

Mr Murmu also gave away awards to the students who have excelled in academics and co-curricular activities during the past year.

He also released October-December 2019 issue of Shrine Board's Quarterly Newsletter 'Trikuta'.