Budgam, Jun 11 (KNO): Reiterating the Jammu and Kashmir government's commitment to strengthen healthcare and education sectors, Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo on Thursday said that improving healthcare facilities remains the priority of the government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
As per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), she was speaking to reporters during her visit to Beerwah in central Kashmir's Budgam district, where she, along with MLA Beerwah Shafi Ahmad Wani, inaugurated and laid foundation stones for several developmental projects aimed at improving public infrastructure and essential services in the area.
Itoo said significant investments were being made in medical infrastructure and human resources across J&K.
Speaking about the government's healthcare initiatives, Itoo said that several newly established Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) had in palready been equipped with advanced diagnostic and treatment facilities, including Cath Labs and MRI units in last 19 months, and other critical healthcare infrastructure.
"The health sector is a priority area for the CM Omar Abdullah-led government. That is why Cath Labs, MRI facilities, and other modern healthcare infrastructure have been added to some of the newly-established GMCs, and the process is being extended to other institutions as well," she said.
The minister emphasised that the government was committed to ensuring better healthcare access and quality treatment for patients across Jammu and Kashmir.
"Every possible step is being taken to strengthen the healthcare system and provide better medical facilities to the people. Our focus is not merely on constructing buildings but on creating healthcare institutions that are fully functional and capable of delivering quality services," she said.
Addressing demands for a trauma hospital in the Magam-Beerwah belt, Itoo acknowledged the genuine need for such a facility in the area.
However, she said that the government was presently focused on implementing already sanctioned projects.
"There is certainly a requirement for a trauma hospital in Magam. We understand the public demand and the importance of such a facility. However, at present, two trauma hospitals have been sanctioned by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, one for Uri and another in the Rajouri sector. Our immediate priority is to ensure that these projects are completed successfully. In the next phase, areas like Magam will also be considered," Itoo said.
The minister stressed that the government's approach was centered on establishing hospitals that are adequately staffed and equipped rather than limiting development to infrastructure alone.
"We want hospitals with doctors, paramedical staff, equipment and proper infrastructure, not just buildings. Healthcare institutions must be capable of serving patients effectively," she said.
On the education front, Itoo said that the government had initiated measures to address the shortage of teaching staff in schools by seeking the defreezing of teacher posts that had remained frozen for several years.
"We have moved a file for the defreezing of teacher posts in J&K. These posts were frozen long ago. Once approved, they can be referred to the Services Selection Board (SSB), which will not only improve staffing in schools but also generate employment opportunities for youth," she said.
The minister also referred to concerns arising from the earlier decision to merge or club schools across various districts, saying that public demand for reversing the process has been increasing.
"Hundreds of schools were clubbed in the past. Today, there is growing demand from communities for declubbing these institutions so that students can access educational facilities closer to their homes. The government is examining these concerns seriously," she said.
Commenting on administrative reforms in the health and education departments, Itoo said the government had already taken steps to streamline staffing patterns by ending most attachment arrangements.
"All attached staff members in the health and education departments have been detached and sent back to their original places of posting, except for a few cases where medical grounds warranted relaxation," she said.
During her visit to Beerwah, the minister reviewed several ongoing and proposed developmental works and interacted with local residents regarding issues related to healthcare, education and civic infrastructure.
She assured the people that the government remains committed to equitable development and improved delivery of essential services across all regions of Jammu and Kashmir—(KNO)