Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir – Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare, and Education, Sakeena Itoo, has reiterated the government’s steadfast commitment to bolstering healthcare infrastructure and ensuring the delivery of high-quality patient care throughout Jammu and Kashmir. This assurance was conveyed during an extensive day-long tour of various healthcare facilities and medical institutions situated within the Khanyar and Hazratbal constituencies.
The minister’s tour, which saw her accompanied by Khanyar MLA Ali Mohammad Sagar and Hazratbal MLA Salman Ali Sagar, along with other key officials, focused on assessing the current state of healthcare services and identifying areas for immediate improvement. A significant stop on the itinerary was the Urban Public Health Centre (UPHC) at SR Gunj, where Minister Itoo personally inspected the ongoing upgradation works. She issued directives to the relevant authorities, urging them to expedite the completion of all remaining tasks. These include crucial elements such as the rooftop installation, the development of the approach road, and the integration of a lift facility, all aimed at ensuring the upgraded centre can be opened to the public without further delay.
Information reaching TahirRihat.com suggests that Minister Itoo emphasized the project’s importance, noting that the health centre has been designed with a conscious effort to preserve the area’s distinct local heritage. The successful completion of these upgrades is expected to significantly enhance the healthcare services available to the residents of the locality.
Further underscoring the administration’s dedication to improving medical facilities, Minister Itoo also visited Gousia Hospital in Khanyar. During her visit, she announced plans for the construction of an additional block on a nearby identified site. This expansion is intended to further augment healthcare capabilities and address existing constraints related to space and parking, which have been a persistent challenge for the hospital. The minister instructed the concerned departments to swiftly complete all necessary formalities and to prepare a comprehensive Detailed Project Report (DPR) for this new construction initiative.
In Hazratbal, the minister turned her attention to the Sub-District Hospital (SDH) at Habbak Chowk. Here, she made a significant announcement regarding the commencement of work on an approved 50-bedded hospital block, which is slated to begin shortly. Minister Itoo expressed her gratitude to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for sanctioning this vital project and also acknowledged the persistent efforts of local MLA Salman Ali Sagar in advocating for and securing its approval. (As per information available with TahirRihat.com, the minister highlighted the collaborative efforts that led to this development.)
The government’s overarching strategy, as articulated by Minister Itoo, is centered on ensuring superior patient care and the provision of modern healthcare facilities. This focus is particularly aimed at ensuring that individuals, especially those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, are not compelled to rely on private healthcare providers for quality treatment. The minister pointed to tangible improvements being made in the health sector, noting the imminent deployment of approximately 400 new doctors across Jammu and Kashmir. This influx of medical professionals is intended to address existing staff shortages and significantly enhance the delivery of healthcare services to the populace.
Minister Itoo further elaborated on the government’s proactive approach, stating, “We are identifying and addressing the existing gaps in the healthcare system. Our objective is to provide accessible, affordable and quality healthcare to every citizen.” She assured the public that foundation stones for the new projects would be laid in the near future and that regular monitoring mechanisms would be put in place to ensure their timely and efficient completion. In a call for community involvement, she appealed to the public to actively participate in maintaining cleanliness and sanitation within healthcare institutions, emphasizing that collective participation is indispensable for achieving better healthcare outcomes.
Local legislators present during the tour expressed their appreciation for the minister’s proactive engagement and her commitment to strengthening healthcare services and infrastructure within their respective constituencies. Their commendations highlighted the positive impact of the minister’s oversight and the government’s focus on the health sector.
Concluding her tour, Minister Itoo visited Burzahama, where she directed the concerned authorities to identify a suitable plot of land for the construction of a Primary Health Centre (PHC). This new facility is intended to cater specifically to the healthcare needs of the local population in that area, ensuring greater accessibility to essential medical services. Throughout the day, various individual and public delegations had the opportunity to meet with the minister, bringing to her attention a range of issues and demands. She assured them that all genuine concerns would be thoroughly examined and addressed with the highest priority.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.
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