JAMMU: In line with the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah’s Vision 2030 for health sector, aligned with J&K Vision Document @2047, Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Itoo today chaired a detailed review meeting at Civil Secretariat here to assess the Health Department’s action plan for achieving this goal, primarily aimed at strengthening the public healthcare system across Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting was attended by Secretary, Health and Medical Education, Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah; MD NHM, Baseer ul Haq Chaudhary; CEO State Health Agency, Ananth Dwivedi; Managing Director, JKMSCL, Tariq Hussain Ganai; Commissioner Food and Drug Administration, Smita Sethi; Director SKIMS, Dr. Ashraf Ganie; Director Finance Health, Director Planning Health, Director Health Services Kashmir/Jammu, Director Coordination, New GMCs, Director Family Welfare and Immunization, Principals of all Medical Colleges and other concerned officers, either in person or through video conferencing.
During the meeting, Minister Sakeena held detailed assessment of key priority areas like upgradation of healthcare infrastructure, strengthening primary and secondary healthcare services, human resource optimization, adoption of modern medical technologies, and improved availability of essential medicines and diagnostics. She also laid special emphasis on ensuring last-mile delivery of health services, particularly in rural and far-flung areas.
The Minister emphasized upon the officers that the action plan for achieving the Vision 2030 must be meticulously designed to translate the Chief Minister’s vision of accessible, affordable and quality healthcare for all into tangible outcomes on the ground. “Time-bound implementation of ongoing initiatives, efficient resource utilization and people-centric approach in healthcare delivery is vital for achieving the objectives of Vision 2030,” Minister Sakeena stated.
Minister Sakeena emphasised the importance of interdepartmental coordination and continuous monitoring to achieve the targets set under Vision 2030. She directed officials to adopt innovative solutions, leverage digital health initiatives, and enhance accountability mechanisms to improve patient outcomes.
While reviewing the overall functioning of the health sector across J&K, the Minister emphasized on the procurement of quality equipments for the health facilities which meet the dire needs of the general public. She also called upon officers to maintain transparency in tender procedures as well as the timely deployment of procured machines and equipments in hospitals.
She further directed the officers for the immediate deployment of the newly procured Ambulance fleet in hospitals, highlighting that the Ambulances are a basic need for improving health care services.
To plug the gaps of manpower, doctors and paramedical staff, in rural and far-flung areas, the Minister called upon the department to frame an incentive scheme, so that doctors and other staff posted in rural and far-flung areas get additional benefits while they are serving in these areas. She also called upon the Secretary of Health to rationalise the NHM doctors and other staff, and post them at places facing staff crunches. She also asked the Secretary to cancel the attachments of all NHM doctors and post them at their respective places of posting.
The Minister also asked the CEO State Health Agency to strengthen the Anti-Fraud Unit of the organisation so that the frauds involved in Sehat Scheme are timely tapped and due action is taken against the violators. She asked the CEO to break the nexus between doctors and private hospitals involved in deceiving patients under the Sehat Scheme.
While reviewing the functioning of the Food and Drug Administration, the Minister called upon the Commissioner for constant surveillance of food and eatery products being brought into Jammu and Kashmir. She underscored that the market checking squads need to be strengthened at block, tehsil and district levels to maintain the food standards across Jammu and Kashmir.
The Minister also asked the Commissioner to actively pursue the cases against the violators and take due action as per law against them.
Reiterating the Omar Abdullah-led Government’s commitment to accessible, affordable health care services, the Minister said that the Health Department remains focused on building a resilient, inclusive and responsive healthcare system that meets the evolving needs of the population and upholds the promise of universal health coverage.
During the meeting, the Director of Planning Health gave a detailed presentation on the action plan for achieving the objectives of Vision 2030.
