Chief Secretary takes stock of critical care health projects

Srinagar, Sep 24: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo Wednesday chaired a meeting to take a comprehensive project-wise review of the ongoing critical care projects being established across different districts under the Pradhan Mantri–Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) and Emergency COVID Response Package-II (ECRP-II).
The meeting was attended by Secretary, Health & Medical Education Department (H&ME); Mission Director, NHM; Principals of Government Medical Colleges; Managing Director, HSCC; and other senior officers of the department.
Underscoring the importance of these critical care facilities in strengthening the healthcare infrastructure across J&K, the Chief Secretary directed the executing agencies to enhance the pace of work to ensure timely completion of all projects.
He stressed that the creation of such facilities would go a long way in augmenting tertiary and secondary healthcare capacities, particularly in district hospitals and new medical colleges.
During the meeting, the Chief Secretary took a detailed appraisal of the physical and financial progress of each project, the availability of manpower and machinery at worksites, and the progress achieved since the last review. He called for strict adherence to deadlines and continuous monitoring to avoid delays.
The Secretary, H&ME informed the meeting that under PM-ABHIM, works are underway on two 100-bedded critical care blocks at GMC Jammu and District Hospital Budgam, along with seven 50-bedded blocks at GMC Kathua, GMC Rajouri, GMC Doda, GMC Anantnag, SKIMS Medical College Bemina, and District Hospital Kulgam. Additionally, 20 District Integrated Public Health Labs (DIPHLs) and 287 Block Public Health Units (BPHUs) are also being established across the UT.
Under ECRP-II, seven more 50-bedded critical care blocks are being developed at GMC Udhampur and the District Hospitals of Reasi, Pulwama, Kupwara, Poonch, Shopian, and Ganderbal.
The meeting also reviewed the progress on the establishment of 104 Urban Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (UAAMs), out of which 52 have been completed, while 79 are targeted for completion by March 31, 2026.
The Managing Director, HSCC apprised the Chief Secretary about the current status of each project, deployment of resources, and expected timelines. He informed that the workforce at project sites has been substantially increased to over 950 workers and is expected to be further scaled up to around 1,400 in the coming weeks to meet the deadlines.
Reiterating the Government’s commitment to providing advanced healthcare facilities to the people of J&K, the Chief Secretary directed the concerned agencies to bridge manpower gaps, mobilize resources, and expedite execution so that these critical projects are completed within the stipulated timelines.