By IANS
New Delhi : The Army Medical Corps will set up nine more armed forces hospitals and induct 10,590 health professionals to meet growing health demands and reduce the doctors-patients ratio in the defence service.
“The Government of India has already given a go ahead for nine hospitals which will be in place in three to four years. One hospital in Kargil (Jammu and Kashmir) is expected to be commissioned by Oct 31, 2008,” said Lieutenant-General Yogendra Singh, director-general of the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS).
Currently, there were 127 armed forces hospitals and scores of ambulance with emergency medical facilities attached to them.
The hospitals will be located in Jammu, Drass (both in Jammu and Kashmir), Bhuj (Gujarat), Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh), Tezpur (Assam), Suratgarh (Rajasthan) and Mhow in Madhya Pradesh, Singh told reporters.
“The 50-bed hospitals will treat defence personnel, but civilians can avail of emergency services. The government has sanctioned Rs. 221.3 crore (Rs. 2.21 billion) for the purpose,” he told IANS.
Singh said the Centre has approved appointment to 10,590 vacant positions as recommended by the Standing Committee of Parliament on Defence in its 23rd report, keeping in view the increased commitments.
The Armed Forces Medical Corps, which celebrates its 244th raising day anniversary Jan 1, has one health official for every 53 personnel (1:53).
The Armed Forces Medical Corps’ history dates back to the days of East India Company. The Bengal Presidency Medical Corps was formed on Jan 1, 1764.
Lieutenant-General Saibal Mukherjee, Director General of Medical Services (Army), said efforts to induct fresh manpower are aimed at attaining a ratio of 1.30. “Our force (Army, Navy and Air) has a combined strength of nearly 1.5 million and we cannot ignore health issues.”
Mukherjee also said a paramedical academy is proposed to be set up at Lucknow to oversee training of paramedical staff. The institute will offer diploma courses in emergency and trauma care to nursing assistants and certificate course for ambulance assistance.