Srinagar, Dec 25: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah conducted a surprise visit to the Bone and Joint Hospital, Barzulla, and the Children’s Hospital, Bemina, on Wednesday to assess the healthcare services and facilities provided to patients.
The Chief Minister began his visit at the Bone & Joint Hospital, the largest orthopedic healthcare facility in the Kashmir Valley, where he inspected various sections, including the X-ray department, blood bank, dressing section, plaster room, and pharmacy. Abdullah interacted with patients and their attendants to better understand their concerns. He was accompanied by Health Minister Sakeena Itoo, senior medical faculty, and hospital staff.
During his visit, Abdullah conducted an on-the-spot inspection of the hospital’s winter arrangements, treatment facilities, and the availability of medical professionals and paramedics. He also toured the state-of-the-art additional block of the hospital, constructed under the Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project (JTFRP) with World Bank funding.
The new block, designed with earthquake-resistant technology, is expected to add 160 beds, increasing the hospital’s total capacity from 150 to 310 beds.
The CM directed the executing agencies to expedite the completion of the new block, which is vital due to space constraints caused by a fire incident in 2022 that reduced the hospital’s capacity. He emphasized the need for the new block to be operational by January 2025 to enhance patient care.
Officials at the hospital said that the new hospital building is designed as a G+ structure, incorporating modern machinery in its construction.
The construction of the additional block, which began in 2019, has missed several deadlines. The existing hospital building had also been damaged in the 2014 floods, which led to the approval for the additional block in 2015.
Later, Abdullah and Minister Itoo visited the 500-bedded Children’s Hospital in Bemina, where they interacted with patients, attendants, and hospital staff. The CM was briefed about the increase in patient load since the hospital’s relocation from GB Pant Hospital. Attendants from remote areas raised concerns about the lack of an attendant shelter, prompting the Chief Minister to immediately instruct authorities to construct one.
Hospital officials informed Abdullah about space constraints for expanding super-specialty services and the shortage of faculty and paramedical staff. The Chief Minister assured that these issues would be prioritized and addressed promptly. He also pledged to resolve the shortage of medical staff at healthcare facilities across Jammu and Kashmir.
Notably, regarding the shelter officials said the hospital has sent a Preliminary Project Report (PPR) to the Govt. Medical College Srinagar as received from Chief Engineer PW (R&B) Central, Kashmir.
Abdullah further instructed hospital authorities to ensure the timely availability of medicines and other essential services for patients.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by the Medical Superintendent of the Children’s Hospital, senior faculty, and other concerned officials during both visits.
The CM also promised to resolve the shortage of medical staff, including doctors and paramedics, not only at this hospital but across healthcare facilities in Jammu and Kashmir.
