RAWALAKOT (Kashmir English): Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Rawalakot has ended the protest in front of the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Rawalakot following the Azad Kashmir government accepting all demands related to healthcare.
A meeting was held between a delegation of JI Rawalakot and the Secretary of Health today to discuss pressing issues related to the CMH Rawalakot and other healthcare matters. After productive discussions, the Secretary Health agreed to several demands.
The demands include the restoration of the health card in Azad Kashmir from August, enabling citizens to access free medical treatment at government hospitals and health centers.
Furthermore, the government representative agreed that a trauma center and cardiac center will be established alongside Sheikh Zayed Hospital, providing free treatment to patients with health cards. The emergency department of the hospital will also be upgraded, the agreement read.
The number of paramedical staff will be increased, and advanced medical facilities, including CT scans, MRI, and digital X-ray, will be provided, the agreement added.
Others include the quota for medicines in Azad Kashmir will be increased by 120% and a special budget of Rs 2 billion will be allocated for the purchase of equipment for hospitals in Azad Kashmir.
A budget of Rs 32 crore was initially approved for MRI and CT scan machines for Rawalakot CMH, but the funds were rejected by the CMH radiologists and construction committee, and will be returned, the Secretary Health, Azad Kashmir, maintained.
Moreover, Secretary Health assured that all funds will be released for the construction of Rawalakot Chak Hospital, which is expected to become functional in September.
In addition to that, it was agreed to that the CMH Rawalakot will be upgraded to 400 beds, enhancing healthcare services in the region.
