Serve in remote and far-flung areas: CM Omar to newly appointed medical officers

STC NEWS DESK
SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 02 (STC): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today urged newly appointed Medical Officers to serve in remote and far-flung areas. He said people often see doctors as their “last ray of hope” during the most difficult moments of their lives.
The Chief Minister was addressing a function at SKICC Srinagar after distributing appointment orders to newly appointed Medical Officers.
The Chief Minister said doctors may not prefer postings in distant areas after getting accustomed to the facilities and comforts of Srinagar or Jammu, but government service also carries an obligation to serve people living in remote regions.
He said the decision of life and death was never in “your or my hands, nor will it ever be. However, in the most difficult of times, when people search for someone to turn to, they look for a doctor. Some come to you after giving up all hope, seeing in you their last ray of light.”
He said doctors could not remain confined to urban centres and people in far-flung areas also had the right to access basic healthcare services.
The Chief Minister said, “Our effort should be to serve the people. Routine procedures such as normal deliveries and surgeries for gallbladder and appendicitis should be performed at least at district hospitals, if not at sub-district hospitals. But we often see patients being referred from these hospitals to Srinagar,” he said.
Omar said the government would also have to fulfil its responsibility by improving infrastructure and service conditions for doctors posted in remote areas.
He said the newly appointed doctors had earned their positions through years of hard work, including medical education, training, internships and the recruitment process.

(Straight Talk Communications)