Govt committed to improve healthcare delivery in J&K: Sakeena

Jammu, Feb 19: The Health and Medical Education (H&ME) Department has outlined a comprehensive roadmap to strengthen the healthcare system across the Union Territory.
H&ME Minister Sakeena Itoo, responding to a question raised by MLA Javaid Bedar in the Assembly, said the government is committed to improving healthcare delivery in Jammu and Kashmir through a multi-pronged approach focusing on infrastructure upgradation, manpower augmentation, and the introduction of advanced medical technologies.
She informed the House that a time-bound upgradation plan is being implemented for peripheral healthcare institutions and Government Medical Colleges (GMCs), based on the recommendations of a High-Level Committee. The initiative, she said, aims to enhance the quality, accessibility, and efficiency of healthcare services across urban and rural areas.
The minister announced the rollout of a comprehensive Cancer Control Strategy under a ₹36 crore plan in collaboration with NITI Aayog and Indian Council of Medical Research. She said the strategy will focus on prevention, early diagnosis, improved treatment, capacity building, and the establishment of a population-based cancer registry.
Itoo further revealed that PET-Scan facilities are being introduced in Government Medical Colleges (GMCs), with the Nuclear Medicine Department proposed at Government Medical College Srinagar in the first phase.
In addition, CT scan facilities are being strengthened across major district hospitals and GMCs, while a phased rollout of MRI services is planned to ensure district-level saturation.
The government, Itoo said, has initiated steps to establish Cath Labs in Government Medical Colleges, while Emergency Medicine Departments will be set up in all GMCs to strengthen emergency response systems.
“To enhance critical care delivery in remote areas, Tele-ICU services are being introduced, alongside strengthening Tele-Medicine and Tele-Radiology systems. These digital initiatives aim to address specialist shortages in underserved regions,” she informed the House.
The minister said that hospital logistics, including beds, linen, wheelchairs, lifts, and allied infrastructure, will be upgraded over the next three years to improve patient experience. She said Mobile Medical Units are also being introduced to ensure healthcare access in far-flung and underserved areas of the Union Territory.
Meanwhile, in a significant development, the government approved the addition of 240 MBBS seats and 120 postgraduate seats, along with the necessary infrastructure such as hostels, lecture halls, laboratories, and equipment as per National Medical Commission norms.
A Hub-and-Spoke model will be implemented to connect new GMCs and district hospitals with established institutions, improving both patient care and medical education standards, Itoo said, adding that the District Residency Programme is also being extended to sub-district levels to enhance specialist availability.
She said that to promote innovation, a Health Research Consortium is being constituted, with ₹10 crore proposed for 2026–27 under the Research & Survey head.
The Food Safety Organisation is also being strengthened through upgraded testing facilities and increased funding to widen its operational reach, she added.
The minister further said that recruitment of paramedical and support staff is actively underway. “As part of this: 292 non-gazetted vacancies under the Directorate of Family Welfare, MCH, and Immunization have been referred to the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board and advertised, 290 vacancies from the Directorate of Health Services, Jammu have also been referred for recruitment and 608 additional posts in Jammu and 802 non-gazetted posts, including MTS and sanitation workers in Kashmir, are in the process of being referred after financial concurrence,” she informed.
The minister added that substantial progress has been made this year in expanding healthcare infrastructure. This, she said, includes increasing bed capacity, upgrading operation theatres, and installing modern medical equipment across hospitals.
“Diagnostic services, laboratories, blood banks, and dialysis facilities are being expanded in a phased manner to improve patient care and reduce referral burdens,” the minister said. (KNO)