Srinagar, Oct 7 :
Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Itoo on Tuesday chaired a comprehensive review meeting to assess the performance, functioning and infrastructure development of Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) at Anantnag, Srinagar, Baramulla and Handwara.
The meeting was attended by Secretary Health and Medical Education, Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah; MD JKMSCL; Principals and Medical Superintendents of all GMCs; Director Finance and Planning, Health and Medical Education Department; Chief Engineers of R&B (South, Central and North Kashmir); Chief Engineer Mechanical, and other senior officers.
During the review, the Minister took a detailed appraisal of academic performance, patient care services, manpower position, and progress of ongoing infrastructure projects in all four institutions.
Sakeena Itoo said that GMCs form the backbone of the region’s tertiary healthcare network and must deliver high-quality education and patient care while maintaining transparency and accountability.
“These medical colleges are not only centres of academic excellence but also vital institutions for delivering accessible and affordable healthcare to the people. Our focus is on ensuring that every GMC functions efficiently and provides modern facilities to patients and students alike,” she stated.
The Minister directed executing agencies to expedite pending infrastructure works to ensure full operationalization of all hospital services at the earliest. She stressed the need for better coordination between College Administrations and the R&B Department to address bottlenecks delaying project completion.
She also instructed strict adherence to quality parameters, safety standards, and project timelines, directing the department to regularly monitor progress and submit status reports.
Emphasising on human resource development and adoption of modern technologies, the Minister directed officers to prioritise patient satisfaction, transparency in procurement, and compliance with biomedical waste management norms. She also underlined the importance of maintaining proper sanitation and waste management across hospitals.
Highlighting the government’s commitment to strengthening medical education and healthcare infrastructure, the Minister said that around 200 MBBS seats have been added, which will significantly enhance the quality of healthcare across Jammu and Kashmir.
She further directed the MD JKMSCL to procure medical equipment transparently and as per requisitions received from hospitals. The Secretary Health was instructed to frame a committee at the Secretariat level to conduct routine checks in hospitals for expired medicines.
Calling for reforms, the Minister asked the Secretary to develop an online system for granting surgery appointments in government hospitals and to raise public awareness about services available through the SEHAT App.
She also directed hospital administrators to ensure availability of free medicines for cancer, kidney, liver and other major health ailments to support affected families.
During the meeting, Principals of the respective GMCs presented detailed reports on performance, functioning, infrastructure, academic activities, and other aspects of their colleges.