OCT 08: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare, and Education, Sakeena Itoo, today conducted a comprehensive review of the Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) at Srinagar, Anantnag, Baramulla, and Handwara, along with their associated hospitals. The meeting was attended by senior officials including Secretary Health and Medical Education Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, MD JKMSCL, Principals and Medical Superintendents of all GMCs, Chief Engineers of R&B and Mechanical departments, and other key officers.
During the review, Minister Itoo assessed academic performance, patient care services, manpower, and ongoing infrastructure projects at these institutions. She emphasized that GMCs form the backbone of the region’s tertiary healthcare network and must deliver high-quality education and healthcare services with transparency and accountability.
“These medical colleges are centres of academic excellence and vital for providing accessible, affordable healthcare. Our priority is to ensure every GMC functions efficiently and provides modern facilities to patients and students alike,” the Minister stated.
The Minister instructed executing agencies to expedite ongoing infrastructure projects and coordinate closely with the College Administrations to remove bottlenecks. She highlighted the importance of adhering to quality standards, safety norms, and project timelines and directed regular progress monitoring and reporting.
Further, Minister Itoo stressed on human resource development, skill upgradation of medical staff, adoption of new technologies, patient satisfaction, and proper sanitation and waste management within hospitals. She noted that around 200 new MBBS seats have been added in GMCs, alongside the establishment of high-end medical facilities in district and sub-district hospitals.
The Minister also called for transparent procurement of medical equipment, routine checks for expiry of medicines, and reforms like an online surgery appointment system. She highlighted the need to ensure availability of free medicines for major ailments including cancer, kidney, and liver diseases.
The Principals of the GMCs presented detailed reports on academic, administrative, and infrastructural developments, reflecting the Government’s commitment to strengthening medical education and healthcare infrastructure across Jammu and Kashmir.
