In a major step towards strengthening maternal and child healthcare infrastructure, the Chief Minister today inaugurated a 243-bedded new maternity block at Shri Maharaja Gulab Singh (SMGS) Hospital in Jammu, constructed at a cost of ₹31.59 crore.
The newly inaugurated block is a state-of-the-art healthcare facility, designed to significantly enhance maternity, neonatal and critical care services in the region. Equipped with modern medical infrastructure, advanced critical care delivery systems and a fully developed operation theatre (OT) complex, the facility is expected to ease the burden on existing hospital services and improve patient outcomes.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister described the inauguration as a milestone in the government’s commitment to improving public healthcare, particularly for women and children. He emphasised that strengthening maternity services is crucial for ensuring safe deliveries, reducing maternal and infant mortality rates, and providing dignified healthcare to mothers.
The new maternity block has been planned to cater to the growing healthcare needs of Jammu and the surrounding districts. With 243 beds, the facility will offer expanded capacity for antenatal, delivery, postnatal and neonatal care, ensuring timely and quality medical attention for expecting mothers and newborns.
The block is also equipped with critical care units and modern labour rooms, designed in line with contemporary medical standards. Officials said the facility will play a key role in handling high-risk pregnancies and emergency obstetric cases, which were earlier referred to other hospitals due to limited capacity.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by Health Minister Sakeena Itoo and his Advisor Nasir Sogami, along with senior health department officials and hospital administrators. The Health Minister highlighted that the new block reflects the government’s focus on upgrading healthcare infrastructure across Jammu and Kashmir, with special attention to women-centric health services.
Health department officials informed that the maternity block has been designed to ensure patient comfort, hygiene and efficient clinical workflows. The integration of advanced equipment and trained medical staff is expected to significantly improve the quality of maternal and neonatal care at SMGS Hospital, one of the largest tertiary healthcare institutions in the Jammu region.
The inauguration of the maternity block is part of a broader initiative to modernise government hospitals and expand access to specialised healthcare services. The administration has reiterated its commitment to investing in healthcare infrastructure to ensure accessible, affordable and quality medical care for all sections of society.
The new facility is expected to become fully operational soon and will serve as a major referral centre for maternal and child healthcare, benefiting thousands of families across Jammu and neighbouring areas.
