Srinagar: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education Sakeena Itoo on Friday chaired a detailed review meeting at the Civil Secretariat to assess the education and healthcare sector scenario in Budgam constituency.
The meeting was attended by MLA Budgam Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi, senior officers of the School Education, Higher Education and Social Welfare departments, Director School Education Kashmir, Director Health Services Kashmir, Director Colleges, Chief Medical Officers and other concerned officials.
During the meeting, the minister reviewed progress achieved under various schemes and assessed the status of infrastructure development projects being executed across the constituency.
She directed officials to maintain close coordination and ensure timely completion of projects without compromising quality standards.
Regarding Government Degree College Soibugh, the minister stressed the need to expedite ongoing works so that the institution is completed and made functional for public use at the earliest.
Sakeena Itoo also directed officers to prioritise issues raised by the local public representative and remove bottlenecks affecting developmental works, including steps required to make the permanent satellite campus of Maulana Azad National Urdu University functional.
Reviewing the healthcare sector, the minister sought updates on functioning of health institutions, availability of medical staff, medicines, diagnostic facilities and patient care services in the constituency.
She instructed the Health Department to address gaps on priority and ensure health institutions remain fully equipped to serve the public.
The minister also directed rationalisation of staff in urban health institutions to address shortages in rural and peripheral areas.
While reviewing diagnostic services, she instructed the department to ensure facilities such as MRI, CT Scan and USG remain operational round-the-clock wherever available in hospitals and government medical colleges.
She further directed officials to submit a report regarding utilisation of these facilities beyond routine working hours during the past month.
Emphasising the government’s commitment towards improving public service delivery, Sakeena Itoo said education and healthcare remain priority sectors and sustained efforts are being made to strengthen facilities at the grassroots level.
She stressed the need to strengthen primary healthcare services and ensure smooth functioning of hospitals and health centres, especially in remote and underserved areas.
Reviewing the education sector, the minister assessed the status of school infrastructure projects, availability of teaching staff, classroom facilities and implementation of educational initiatives.
She directed officials to focus on improving academic standards and ensuring better learning environments for students across the constituency.
The minister also called for speedy completion of ongoing school building and upgradation projects to prevent inconvenience to students.
She further emphasised the importance of regular monitoring of developmental works and directed officers to ensure transparency and accountability in project execution.
