JAMMU, Jan 16: Today, Sakeena Itoo, the Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare, and Education, conducted a thorough inspection of the Government Medical College (GMC) and Super Speciality Hospital (SSH) in Jammu. The purpose of the visit was to evaluate medical facilities, review ongoing projects, and ensure the effective operation of healthcare services for the residents of Jammu and nearby areas.
Accompanying the Minister were Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, Secretary of Health and Medical Education, the Principal and Dean of GMC Jammu, Heads of various specialties, Medical Superintendents of associated hospitals, and other relevant officials.
During her visit to GMC and the associated hospitals, the Minister conducted a detailed assessment of the infrastructure, medical equipment, patient care services, and cleanliness standards maintained at the facilities. She interacted with hospital staff to gather firsthand insights into the challenges they experience.
The inspection included a visit to the BSL Lab, VRDL ICMR lab, Chopra Nursing Home, and other sections of the hospital. She emphasized the importance of ensuring the availability of essential medicines, diagnostic tools, and sufficient manpower to maximize the benefits of these facilities for patients.
Along with the inspection, the Minister chaired a meeting to review the progress of various ongoing projects at GMC and associated hospitals. She assessed the operations of the Bone and Joint Hospital, Jammu, SMGS Hospital, Shalamar, MCCH Gandhinagar, State Cancer Institute Jammu, Chest Disease Hospital, and Super Speciality Hospital Jammu.
During the meeting, the Minister evaluated infrastructure upgrades, the status of under-construction facilities, procurement of modern medical equipment, and the staffing needs for the optimal functioning of these healthcare institutions. While acknowledging the hospital administration’s efforts to provide quality healthcare, Sakeena Itoo highlighted the need for continuous enhancements to address existing gaps. She stressed the importance of timely project completion to boost efficiency and patient care standards in the region, instructing the officers to “address any bottlenecks in project execution promptly in consultation with other stakeholders to ensure timely completion.”
The Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure throughout Jammu and Kashmir, reiterating that a patient-centric approach remains a priority for the current administration. She urged the officers to collaborate effectively and make all necessary efforts to provide affordable, accessible, and high-quality healthcare for everyone.
Sakeena Itoo also emphasized the importance of maintaining cleanliness and hygiene in healthcare facilities. “Implement strict measures to uphold a sanitized environment in health institutions, and utilize modern technology to enhance operational efficiency and service delivery,” she asserted.
During her visit, the Minister called on the GMC Jammu hospital administration to alleviate congestion in the emergency department for better patient treatment.
The Minister later toured the Super Speciality Hospital and the State Cancer Institute Jammu to review the medical care facilities available for patients. At the Super Speciality Hospital, she inaugurated the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) to address the increasing emergency care demands.
She inspected various sections of the hospital, including the Brachytherapy center and PET-CT Scan facility. Engaging with hospital administrators, she encouraged them to facilitate access for the public to benefit from these advanced care and testing facilities, urging them to display rates for all diagnostic tests for the convenience of patients and their families.
Present during the Minister’s inspection were Secretary of Health and Medical Education, the Principal and Dean of GMC Jammu, Heads of various specialties from the Super Speciality Hospital, and other officials.
