Govt committed towards strengthening healthcare facilities: Sakeena Itoo

Srinagar, May 26: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Itoo Monday inaugurated State-of-the-Art Histopathology Laboratory, a dedicated Oncology Services Unit and an advanced Electroencephalography (EEG) Lab at Jawahar Lal Nehru Memorial (JLNM) Hospital Rainawari here.
MLA Zadibal, Tanvir Ali Sadiq; Director Health Services Kashmir, ADC Srinagar, CMO Srinagar, Medical Superintendent JLNM Hospital, Heads of different specialities and other concerned officers were also present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Health Minister emphasized on the importance of accessible, quality healthcare services, stating that the Omar Abdullah led Government is committed towards strengthening of healthcare facilities and infrastructure across Jammu and Kashmir. “This initiative is not just about upgrading infrastructure, but having accessibility to people with timely and accurate diagnosis, improving treatment outcomes and bringing specialized medical care closer to their vicinities”, she stated.
The Minister further highlighted that this new Histopathology Lab, equipped to provide in-depth tissue analysis, will be crucial for early and accurate detection of diseases, particularly cancers. She added introduction of Oncology Services will also support patients with consultation, diagnosis, and treatment planning under a specialized framework while EEG Lab will bring advanced neurological diagnostic tools to the hospital, enabling better assessment and treatment of brain-related disorders.
On the sidelines of the inauguration, Minister Sakeena also held a brief meeting and reviewed the performance and functioning of hospital.
During the meeting, the Minister emphasized on better coordination between departments and community feedback mechanisms to enhance service quality. She urged the hospital administration to ensure transparency in operations and regular training for staff to meet evolving healthcare needs.
She reiterated the need for a responsive and accountable healthcare system that prioritizes patient dignity and timely treatment.
After the meeting, Sakeena Itoo also toured several critical sections of the hospital as well as wards and diagnostic laboratories. She interacted directly with patients, attendants, and frontline medical staff to gain first-hand insight into the challenges and operational dynamics of the hospital.
Later, the Minister also visited Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS) Srinagar and took stock of its functioning.
During the visit, Health Minister inspected Brian Stimulation Centre, Addiction Treatment Facility and other wards of the hospital.
Interacting with the doctors and other staff on the occasion, Sakeena Itoo stressed on the necessity of collaborative efforts among government bodies, educational institutions and mental health organizations to develop robust framework for mental health services across Jammu and Kashmir. She also called for proactive measures to address issues like substance abuse and psychological impact of social challenges on young minds.