Srinagar, April 16: Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare (H&FW), Mansukh Mandaviya today interacted with the beneficiaries of the Ayushmann Bharat Health & Wellness Centres (AB-H&WCs) & tele consultations from eight states and Union Territories including Jammu & Kashmir through video-conferencing on the 4th anniversary celebration of Ayushmann Bharat Health & Wellness Centres.
From Jammu and Kashmir, the beneficiaries who interacted with the minister included Gh Rasool Dar (70), a hypertensive patient at Health & Wellness Centre (Sub centre) – Shuloora, Block Kralpora, District Kupwara, J&K. The health and wellness centre (Sub centre) Shaloora, is located near Line of Control.
Sharing his experience with Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Gh Rasool Dar said, “Ayushmann Bharat scheme has revolutionised the healthcare system at grassroots level. Earlier I would travel more than 10 KMs to avail the medical facilities but now the facilities are available at doorstep”, Dar said. He added that with tele-consultation facility, I am getting free consultations from the experts posted in Medical College 150 KMs away from my house and specialists at District Hospital Kupwara which is around 15-20 KMs away from my Village. “I am really thankful to CHO madam for providing all kind of support and ensuring availability of all free of cost drugs and diagnostics for us”, he said.
The Union Minister during the interaction praised the contribution of all stakeholders in effective implementation of the HWC concept and stressed upon the need of greater focus towards programmes designed for the common and marginalized people.
The Ayushmann Bharat Health & Wellness Centre anniversary celebration was attended by Mission Direction, National Health Mission, Yasin M Choudhary; Deputy Commissioner, Kupwara, Imamudin; Director, Health Services, Kashmir, Dr Mushtaq Ahmad; Chief Medical officer, Kupwara, Dr Bashir Ahmad, and State Nodal Officer, Dr Mohammad Shafi Koka, among other dignitaries of UT and District Level.
