Kaza to have 50-bedded hospital: CM Virbhadra Singh

Shimla: Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today announced upgrading of a community health centre in Kaza to a 50-bedded hospital and said it would be provided with latest equipments and machinery. Singh said this in his address at a public meeting at Kaza, sub-divisional headquarters of the remote Spiti Valley in the Lahaul and Spiti district. The residential accommodation for the doctors will also be provided within the hospital campus so that they are available round the clock, Singh said and called upon doctors to willingly opt to serve in tribal and hard areas. Reiterating his government`s commitment to provide quality health care to the people, especially in tribal areas, he said that the government had taken a bold decision to provide cheaper generic medicines to help the poor patients. He said that it was the Congress government that had repeatedly taken up the issue for construction of airport for Kaza at Rangreek and also for expansion of other airstrips in the State. "I would personally pursue the matter of Rangreek Airstrip with the Government of India as it would not only benefit the local people but will also give a boost to tourism," the CM said. The chief minister also stressed upon exploring avenues for employment and self-employment for the youth of tribal areas and said that the government would raise the limit of uninterrupted employment to the labourers working for PWD and IPH without break, from 100 days to 180 days. Singh also announced that `Nautour` land would be allotted to the landless for construction of houses.