JUNE 18: Minister Javid Ahmad Dar chaired a high-level review meeting to assess the status of healthcare services in Government Medical College (GMC) Baramulla and the medical blocks of Rafiabad and Sopore. The review, aimed at identifying gaps and accelerating improvements, brought together key health officials and administrators from the region.
During the session, the minister emphasized the pressing need to strengthen healthcare infrastructure, ensure the availability of medical professionals, and upgrade existing health institutions, including Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs), and Sub-District Hospitals (SDHs). He stated that enhancing healthcare access in both urban and rural pockets of North Kashmir remains a top priority for the government.
Javid Ahmad Dar called for time-bound, mission-mode interventions to address staff shortages, particularly of doctors, nurses, and paramedical personnel. He directed the concerned departments to fill all critical vacancies at the earliest and improve working conditions to retain skilled healthcare workers.
Highlighting infrastructure concerns, the minister instructed that urgent steps be taken to modernize existing facilities. This includes equipping PHCs, CHCs, and SDHs with essential diagnostic tools, medicines, and emergency care systems to improve the quality and reliability of services, especially in underserved areas.
He also reviewed the performance of GMC Baramulla and emphasized its role as a tertiary care institution catering to a large population. He stressed the need to further enhance its capacity, streamline services, and adopt patient-centric approaches. The minister directed hospital administrators to ensure prompt service delivery and effective grievance redressal mechanisms.
Community health outreach and public awareness were also discussed, with the minister urging officials to conduct regular health camps and vaccination drives to improve preventive care. He underlined the importance of coordination between departments to achieve optimal results on the ground.
The meeting concluded with clear directives to adopt a result-oriented approach, backed by regular monitoring and accountability. The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to making quality healthcare accessible and affordable for every citizen in Jammu and Kashmir, especially in remote and border areas.
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