Govt to establish MRI, Cath lab worth Rs 37.50 cr in GMC B’la : Sakeena

Srinagar, July 07: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Itoo, today chaired a meeting at Civil Secretariat to review the healthcare infrastructure and other facilities across Baramulla district.In a statement issued here, the Minister emphasized on the critical importance of strengthening the healthcare delivery system at grassroots level. She highlighted that health sector is an important sector for societal development and wellbeing, therefore there is no room for any compromise.Highlighting that the government under the leadership of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is ensuring prime focus on development of health sector, Sakeena Itoo said that an MRI (3 Tesla) worth Rs. 25 crore and Cath Lab worth Rs. 12.50 crore will be established in GMC Baramulla during current financial year. She added that these facilities will revolutionize the healthcare outreach in the North Kashmir district and its adjoining areas.She said that around 50 kanal of land has been transferred to GMC for establishment of separate OPD block and Diagnostic Block, mortuary, which will improve the quality of healthcare at this prestigious health facility of North Kashmir.The Minister added that Dialysis facilities at SDHs and CHCs besides AI based X-Ray machines and other facilities will also be established in various hospitals and centres of Baramulla.During the meeting, Minister Sakeena also directed the officers to establish digital X-Ray facility at the GMC Baramulla. She also asked them to provide 104 Ambulance vehicles to the institute.Expressing concern over certain gaps, Salina Itoo called for immediate redressal of issues that hamper effective health service delivery. “Health is a fundamental right and  remains the top priority of the present government. There is no scope for complacency or compromise in this vital sector,” she stated.The Minister urged the officers to expedite pending upgrades, ensure proper staffing and maintain transparency in resource utilization.