MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government has introduced a regular rotation system for specialist doctors from AJK Medical College Muzaffarabad to provide specialised healthcare services in district hospitals.
Under the initiative, specialist doctors will visit district hospitals in Muzaffarabad division for two days each week, enabling patients to access better medical facilities in their areas, according to the statement.
The first phase of the programme has begun at DHQ Hospital Hattian Bala, where a team of specialists from AJK Medical College, led by Principal Professor Dr Adnan Meraj, examined patients in the outpatient department (OPD) and various wards.
The visiting team included Professor Dr Sarmad Latif Awan, head of the Department of Surgery; Professor Dr Shaukat Bukhari, medical specialist; Dr Zahid Hussain Mir from the Department of Medicine; and Dr Tanveer Mughal, surgical specialist.
The doctors examined patients and provided medical advice and treatment.
The main objective of this initiative is to improve medical facilities at the district level, save patients from the hassle of traveling to distant areas for treatment, and provide them with the services of expert doctors in a timely manner.
This initiative will help improve the quality of treatment in district hospitals and reduce overcrowding at major hospitals in Muzaffarabad.
In the next phase, this facility will also be started in DHQ Hospital Neelum, followed by district hospitals in Mirpur, Bhimber and Poonch divisions.
According to the programme’s plan, the system will be expanded across Azad Kashmir in phases on the instructions of the AJK Minister for Public Health.
As per the instructions of the Minister of Public Health Azad Kashmir, the aim of this initiative is to provide the services of expert specialist doctors to the people in their nearest hospitals, reduce the pressure on patients at hospitals in big cities, and make the treatment facilities at the district level more effective, the statement said.
“This initiative is a major step towards improving public health facilities in Azad Kashmir and providing quality treatment to the people at their doorsteps,” it added.
