Jammu, Mar 13: Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Srigufwara-Bijbehara, Dr Syed Bashir Ahmad Veeri on Thursday called for an urgent need to prioritising primary healthcare, stabilising secondary hospitals and advance research in tertiary health institutions during an Assembly session on Thursday.
“There is a need to strengthen primary healthcare in J&K, and today in assembly, grants were allocated exclusively for this sector. However, it is equally important to stabilise secondary hospitals and enhance research in tertiary healthcare institutions, with a focus on innovative health management,” the MLA said while speaking exclusively to Rising Kashmir outside the assembly in Jammu.
Veeri said that at least 7 to 8 people die from cancer every other day, and the number is steadily rising. He called for focused research on this issue. “We need to focus on research in tertiary health delivery institutions and innovative health management. Simple gallbladder complications, which can be treated at the Sub-District Hospital (SDH), are being referred directly to SMHS Hospital in Srinagar or the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), overwhelming the doctors whose mandate is to work at a higher level,” he said.
He appreciated the medical fraternity and the dedication of doctors who have been serving the region for 30 to 35 years in challenging times.
When asked about the decreasing excise duty on American apples and its impact on apple farmers in his constituency, Veeri acknowledged the inevitability of international trade dynamics. “You cannot control international trade, so adaptation is necessary. That’s why I am working on cleaning canals for both agriculture and horticulture, in collaboration with the Convergence and Irrigation Departments,” he said.
The MLA called for securing funds to clean canals and ensure proper irrigation for farmers, along with providing scientific input and guidance to help them compete with American apples at the international level. “Farmers should not only compete but aim to surpass American apples in quality. While the Indian government implemented preventive measures like excise tariffs, recent sanctions imposed during Trump’s tenure have made international trade challenging,” he said.
On the major canal issue leading to Tral, Veeri expressed confidence in resolving the situation despite drought-like conditions due to insufficient snow and rainfall. “These are gravity canals sourced from waterways like the Ledder canal and the Veshav river. If these sources are adequately filled, the impact will be noticeable,” he said.
The MLA assured that desilting is being carried out, with the involvement of party members and officials from the Rural Development and Irrigation Departments. “I am committed to ensuring uninterrupted irrigation flow moving forward,” he added.
