Health Minister allocates Rs 1.5 cr for Nurpur mother-child hospital

Health Minister Dhani Ram Shandil announced Rs 1.5 crore for the completion of the 50-bed mother-child hospital in Nurpur during his visit to the 200-bed civil hospital late yesterday evening. He criticised the previous Jai Ram government for hastily inaugurating the incomplete hospital building just before the December 2022 Assembly elections, leaving it non-operational.The minister accepted former MLA Ajay Mahajan’s demand for funding to complete pending civil works and provide electricity and water connections. He stated that Rs 4.5 crore is required for the project and assured that the allocated Rs 1.5 crore would kickstart the process, with full responsibility to operationalise the facility soon.

Shandil highlighted Nurpur’s location on the inter-state border and said he would explore the establishment of a trauma centre to handle road accident emergencies. However, he did not provide assurances for filling vacant posts of specialist doctors, including a radiologist, raised by Mahajan.

The minister also addressed the issue of hiring paramedical and nursing staff through outsourcing, stating his opposition to the practice. He mentioned plans to present the matter to the cabinet to secure better career opportunities and salaries for staff hired under the Rogi Kalyan Samiti (RKS).

He further announced plans to establish a model health institution in every Assembly segment across the state, each staffed with six specialist doctors serving for a minimum of three years. This move aims to reduce the burden on larger hospitals.

On the War Memorial proposed by the previous BJP government in Nurpur in March 2019, Shandil expressed unawareness but assured that he would review its status and make efforts to commence its construction.

The announcements were made during a press conference following his review of health facilities in Nurpur, Fatehpur, Jawali and Indora civil hospitals.