Discusses strengthening of health infra with Union Health Secretary
SRINAGAR: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, today chaired a high-level meeting to review the status of major health infrastructure projects across Jammu and Kashmir. He stressed the need to accelerate the pace of ongoing works and ensure that all projects are completed and made fully functional during the forthcoming working season.
The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary, PWD; Secretary, Health & Medical Education; Director SKIMS; Director General, Budget; Principles of Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) Srinagar/Jammu/Anantnag/Baramulla/ Kathua/Doda/ Rajouri/Udhampur and Handwara; Managing Director, JKMSCL; Director Health Services, Jammu/Kashmir; concerned Chief Engineers of R&B; besides other senior officers.
The Chief Secretary reviewed in detail the progress of the newly established seven medical colleges and their associated hospitals, assessing the physical status of college buildings, administrative blocks, hostels, residential quarters and the present status of their associated hospital complexes.
He also took a project-wise appraisal of infrastructure upgradation works in the older GMCs of Srinagar and Jammu. Key projects under review for GMC Srinagar included the additional block at LD Hospital, Theatre block at SMHS Hospital, Nursing and Boys Hostel at GMC Srinagar, and extension of the ENT Block.
He laid special emphasis on timely completion of the LD Hospital project, which has recently commenced and is being funded by the World Bank under the JTFRP, with a committed completion deadline of August 2026.
The Chief Secretary further directed that the two State Cancer Institutes at Jammu and Srinagar be made fully functional at the earliest by installing the requisite LINAC machines and other advanced equipment.
At SKIMS, he called for fast-tracking the DPR for extension of the Emergency Block and speeding up work on the Nuclear Medicine Block, which has recorded around 30% progress so far.
Reviewing health projects in Jammu, the Chief Secretary stressed on making the B&J Hospital of GMC Jammu fully operational with all mandated facilities. He also reviewed the functioning of Chopra Nursing Home, Construction of 243-bedded Labour Block at SMGS Hospital, and the upgradation works at Indira Gandhi Government Dental College (IGGDC) here.
Among other significant projects discussed were the IPD Block and College building at SKIMS Medical College, Bemina, the 125-bedded hospital at Reshipora, Budgam, the 50-bedded hospital at Sunderbani, Upgradation of SDH Nowshera to a 100-bedded hospital, the 100-bedded MCH at Lamberi, Rajouri, the Upgradation of SDH Billawar to a 100-bedded hospital, the Additional 100-bedded IPD Block at DH Kishtwar, Homoeopathic College and Hostel at Kathua, 243-bedded MCCH at Anantnag.
The Chief Secretary directed all concerned departments and executing agencies to work in close coordination, adhere strictly to timelines, and remove bottlenecks to ensure that these vital healthcare projects are completed in mission mode and dedicated to the people at the earliest.
Meanwhile, Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, held an extensive interaction with Secretary, Health and Family Welfare (H&FW), Government of India, Punya Salila Srivastava, to deliberate on avenues for strengthening health infrastructure and upgrading healthcare services across Jammu and Kashmir.
At the outset, the Chief Secretary conveyed his gratitude to the Ministry for enhancing MBBS intake capacity in several medical colleges of the Union Territory.
The meeting reviewed progress on centrally sponsored key construction projects, the introduction of specialisation courses such as MD/MS, DM/MCH, and DNB in newly established medical colleges, and the proposal for increasing 50 MBBS seats in other colleges that had applied. Discussions also focused on extending support for strengthening tertiary care facilities in the recently established Government Medical Colleges (GMCs).
The Chief Secretary further sought the Ministry’s intervention in expediting the completion of AIIMS Awantipora and facilitating the expansion of AIIMS Jammu. He assured full cooperation of the J&K administration in implementing all initiatives of the Ministry in the Union Territory.
The Union Health Secretary assured the Chief Secretary of sympathetic consideration and timely action on all the issues raised during the meeting.
