ANANTNAG: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Itoo, dedicated the state-of-the-art 1.5 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) facility to the public at Government Medical College (GMC) here today.
She also inaugurated Three Modular Operation Theatres (OTs) and a Virectomy Machine in the Ophthalmology department of the Associated Hospital of GMC Anantnag.
MLA Anantnag-West, Abdul Majeed Bhat (Larmi); MLA Rajpora, Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Mir; MLA Pampore, Justice (Retd) Hasnain Masoodi; MLA Zainapora, Showkat Ahmad Ganie; MLA Devsar, Peerzada Feroze Ahmad; Principal GMC Anantnag, Dr Rukhsana Najeeb; Director Health Services Kashmir, Dr Jehangir Bhakshi; HoDs of different faculties of GMC, Medical Superintendent, CMO Anantnag, other senior officers of district administration and a large number of locals were also present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister underlined that this significant development of establishing an MRI facility at GMC Anantnag reflects the firm commitment of the Omar Abdullah-led Government to modernise healthcare services and ensure equitable access to advanced medical technologies for all sections of society.
“The Government is focused on transforming public healthcare by strengthening diagnostic capabilities at district and medical college levels. The commissioning of this MRI facility at GMC Anantnag will significantly enhance patient care and ensure timely diagnosis of patients closer to their homes,” the Minister stated.
Crediting Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for the already functional Cath Lab at the GMC Anantnag, Sakeena Itoo said that this Cath Lab has turned a game-changer for saving the lives of people in South Kashmir districts as well as the Pir Panchal region. “Earlier, numerous patients referred from this hospital lost their lives as they couldn’t reach Srinagar Hospitals in the golden hour period, but due to the functional Cath Lab now at this GMC, people are receiving advanced treatment for cardiac issues here,” she said.
She added that with the establishment of the Cath Lab in GMC Anantnag, cardiac care facilities have been boosted in the entire South Kashmir.
The Minister highlighted that improved and advanced diagnostic infrastructure forms a critical pillar of the Omar Abdullah-led Government’s broader healthcare reform agenda, aimed at reducing waiting times, improving treatment outcomes and enhancing overall service delivery across Jammu and Kashmir.
Outlining other remarkable achievements made in the health sector of Anantnag district, Sakeena Itoo said that with the personal efforts of the Chief Minister, the shifting of the Paediatric section from Sherbagh hospital was made possible, adding that this was a long-pending demand from people of this area. She also said that a Sarai has also been made functional in this GMC to provide housing and other facilities to the attendants during their stay in the hospital.
The Minister also said that with the consistent efforts of this Government, medical seats have been increased in various specialities and super specialities in various GMCs across Jammu and Kashmir, including GMC Anantnag.
Calling doctors as life savers, the Minister said that the doctors and paramedics need to be more empathetic towards patients, adding that public trust in Government Hospitals depends on the conduct and compassion of doctors and paramedical staff.
Reiterating the Government’s vision, Sakeena Itoo said that several initiatives are underway to upgrade hospitals, augment manpower and introduce cutting-edge medical technologies across Jammu and Kashmir, with special focus on rural and peripheral areas. She added that the Government remains committed to building a resilient and patient-centric healthcare system aligned with modern medical standards.
The Minister also interacted with doctors, technicians, and hospital administrators, appreciating their efforts in improving healthcare services and urging them to maintain the highest standards of patient care and professionalism. She stressed the importance of optimal utilisation and regular maintenance of advanced medical equipment to ensure uninterrupted services.
Pertinently, the inauguration of MRI and other facilities at GMC Anantnag marks a major milestone in expanding access to advanced diagnostic services for patients in South Kashmir as well as some areas of the Oir Panchal region. The newly installed MRI facility is equipped with modern imaging technology designed to deliver high-precision diagnostic results, enabling early detection and accurate evaluation of complex medical conditions, including neurological disorders, musculoskeletal injuries, cardiovascular ailments, and oncological cases. The facility is expected to substantially reduce patient referrals to tertiary care hospitals outside the district, thereby easing financial and logistical burdens on patients and their families.
