• Applauds PHCs working 24/7 in Kashmir: Secy MoHFW
• J&K strengthening rural hospitals, no patient should move outside: Advisor
• Increase in MBBS seats from 500 to 1300 a major milestone: SecyHealth J&K
Srinagar, May 17:The Medical Education and Health sector in Jammu and Kashmir has seen significant transformations, bringing a healing touch to patients, experts noted during the second National Conference of the National Health Mission (NHM) held on Friday in Srinagar. The Union Health Ministry, in collaboration with NHM J&K, organized the event to discuss critical healthcare initiatives and strategies across several States and Union Territories (UTs).
Apurva Chandra, Secretary of the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), emphasised the substantial upgrades to medical infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir. “We wanted to observe the developments in the healthcare sector of the valley and compare them with other States and UTs,” he said. Chandra praised the 24/7 functioning Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in Kashmir, noting the unprecedented availability of doctors in three shifts. He highlighted the region’s universal medical coverage and the significant improvements in healthcare facilities compared to three decades ago.
Rajeev RaiBhatnagar, Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor, stated that the event provided an opportunity to emphasize best practices and outcomes of health services provided to patients. He underscored the historic changes in medical education and healthcare infrastructure, including the construction of two AIIMS and two Cancer Institutes, along with new medical colleges. “Our goal is to ensure no patient needs to leave the UT for treatment. We are strengthening District Hospitals, Sub District Hospitals, and Primary Health Centres,” Bhatnagar said. He also mentioned the development of AyushmanArogyaMandirs to enhance healthcare services.
Additional Secretary and Mission Director of NHM, AradhanaPatnaik, noted that NHM is advancing healthcare quality nationwide, especially in remote areas, through innovative approaches and robust partnerships. She expressed that the conference would facilitate knowledge sharing and the exchange of best practices among participants from diverse backgrounds, contributing to the shared goal of a healthier nation.
Dr. Syed AbidRasheed, Administrative Secretary of the Health and Medical Education Department, highlighted the increase in MBBS seats from 500 to 1300, with further increases anticipated. He mentioned the improvement in nursing education with the establishment of 52 paramedical institutes offering various courses and plans to introduce postdoctoral courses. Dr.Rasheed emphasized the focus on critical care services under the Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), which aims to equip every hospital with critical care blocks.
The opening of seven new medical colleges represents a transformative change, expected to improve the doctor-patient ratio as a significant number of NEET qualifiers are from Jammu and Kashmir. Dr.Rasheed expressed confidence that the healthcare sector in J&K will continue to strengthen, with ongoing efforts to fill gaps in human resources and infrastructure, especially in rural areas.
The extension of duty hours in medical colleges, starting surgeries earlier in the day, has positively impacted patient care, according to Dr.Rasheed. He commended healthcare professionals for implementing the extended hours, ensuring better services for patients.
The conference, attended by Mission Directors of NHMs from various States and UTs, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and stakeholders, included visits to different hospitals across Kashmir. The teams interacted with doctors, patients, and paramedical staff, appreciating the available healthcare facilities.
Prominent attendees included Ajoy Sharma, Principal Secretary of Health and Family Welfare, Punjab; C. Paulrasu, Secretary of Health and Family Welfare, Himachal Pradesh; Ajay Chagti, Secretary of Health and Family Welfare, UT of Chandigarh; Major General AtulKotwal, ED of National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC); NazimZai Khan, Mission Director NHM J&K; and Directors of Health Services and Medical Colleges.
