Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Sep 20: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rule the healthcare system in J&K has improved remarkably.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of Dr Agarwal’s Eye Hospital here, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said, “The Prime Minister has extended great support to strengthen the health sector. Today, J&K has 11 medical colleges, with two AIIMS—one already functional in Jammu and the other set to be operational in Kashmir next year. The aim has always been to ensure that Kashmiris receive advanced medical care within the UT itself,” he said, adding, “Every citizen of J&K is covered under the health insurance scheme and has a cover of Rs 5 lakhs.”
The Lieutenant Governor also emphasized the growing role of the private sector in strengthening healthcare infrastructure. “Super-specialty facilities are being developed, and the administration has taken several steps to make the health system more systematic and accessible,” he said.
Sinha appreciated the initiatives of Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospital, noting that the hospital’s outreach programs, including mobile medical camps and services near border areas, would greatly benefit people in remote regions.
Sinha said the reputation of Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospital is not only well recognized in India but also abroad, and that the group has been providing quality healthcare services for over 25 years.
Highlighting the advancements in the field, the Lt Governor said that eye care has developed significantly with new technologies such as AI-based diagnostics, which now enable more personalized treatment.
He added that this new facility would ensure that people in J&K have access to the same quality of eye care as available in metropolitan cities like Delhi and Mumbai.
The Lieutenant Governor called upon Dr. Agarwals Eye Centre and other hospitals to organise free eye check-up camps in different parts of J&K, especially in rural and border areas, with the spirit of selfless service.
He said, for greater reach, people should be served from time to time through telemedicine, virtual consultations and digital examinations.
Dr. Ashar Agarwal, Chief Business Officer, Dr Agarwals Group of Eye Hospitals; Dr Atif Ali Mir, Head Clinical Services, Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital, Srinagar, Doctors, staff members of the hospital were present.
Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Secretary, Science & Technology department; Dr Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, Secretary, Health and Medical Education; Anshul Garg, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; Rajiv Pandey, DIG Central Kashmir Range, Dr GV Sundeep Chakravarthy, SSP Srinagar; Akshay Labroo, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, besides Imran Reza Ansari, President All J&K Shia Association and senior officials also attended the inaugural ceremony.
