By IANS,
New Delhi: Noting that the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) has utilised the entire budget of Rs.90 crore this year, Defence Minister A.K. Antony Monday assured enough funds for modernisation of military hospitals across the country.
“There will be no funds constraint for the modernisation of armed forces’ hospitals. I am satisfied that the AFMS has utilised the entire annual budget of Rs.90 crore for the current financial year,” Antony said at a function to present the trophies for the best command hospitals in the country.
“All hospitals will be modernised at par with the best hospitals in the country in a phased manner,” he said, noting that the defence ministry has approved a proposal for restructuring the Military Nursing Service, which would be soon examined by the cabinet.
The minister also lauded the contribution of the AFMS in various missions abroad including under the UN flag such as Ethiopia, Lebanon, Golan Heights, Congo and Afghanistan.
Earlier, Antony presented the trophy for the Best Command Hospital for the year 2010 to Mumbai-based Indian Naval Hospital Ship Asvini.
Surgeon Rear Admiral Y.P.Monga, commandant of the hospital, received the trophy and a cash prize of Rs.10 lakh. The Southern Command Hospital at Pune was awarded the second best Command Hospital Trophy, carrying a cash prize of Rs.3 lakh, which was received by Major General S.S. Panwar, commandant of the hospital.
The three Services chiefs – Air Chief Marshal P.V.Naik, Admiral Nirmal Verma and General V.K. Singh – besides Defence Secretary Pradeep Kumar and Lt.Gen. Naresh Kumar, officiating director general of AFMS, were present on the occasion.
The Best Command Hospital Trophy is being awarded since 1989 and the Second Best Hospital Trophy was introduced last year.