Nadda, Mehbooba lay foundation stones of medical colleges in Doda, Kathua

Amir Karim Tantray

Tribune News Service

Jammu, June 10

The foundation stones of Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) of Doda and Kathua were jointly laid by Union Health and Family Welfare Minister JP Nadda and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti at Ghat village, 5 km from district headquarters, Doda, and opposite District Hospital in Kathua, respectively.

This was a historic moment for people of erstwhile Doda district and people of Kathua as never before such a premier institution was sanctioned for these areas.

It was former Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad who during the UPA-II rule in 2014 sanctioned five medical colleges for the state and Doda was one among them. Due to his personal interest two medical colleges were sanctioned for single parliamentary constituency of Udhampur-Doda-Kathua.

Doda is the home district of Ghulam Nabi Azad.

After BJP-led NDA government replaced UPA government at the Centre, the process of establishment of medical college at Doda became slow. Now, three years after the sanctioning of premier health institutes for Doda and Kathua, Nadda and Mehbooba laid foundation stones today.

So far these areas have remained dependent on health and medical institutions of Jammu as well as of Kashmir and even for a complicated pregnancy case, patients are referred to health institutes of Jammu.

At Ghat village in Doda, 164 kanals of agricultural land has been acquired for the college, whereas in Kathua the college will be established opposite District Hospital and around 150 kanals have been acquired there.

There was a festive atmosphere at both the places as never before such a big project has been established in the area. The new medical college in Doda will cater to around 10 lakh people of erstwhile Doda district, comprising Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban districts, and will be useful for people who couldn’t afford to reach Jammu or Kashmir for treatment.

Kathua medical college will also cater to remote areas of the district, including Bani, Basholi, Billawar and border belts where every now and then people suffer injuries when Pakistan pounds villages on this side.

Last year on May 15, Nadda and Mehbooba had laid foundation stones of three medical colleges at Rajouri, Anantnag and Baramulla but due to non-completion of formalities, foundation stones weren’t laid for Doda and Kathua medical colleges.

To lessen burden on Jammu GMCH

• Will give boost to healthcare facilities
• Will lessen the burden of patients in Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Jammu
• More opportunities for MBBS aspirants as the number of seats will increase
• Will generate employment for educated youth
• Will boost economy as locals will get new business opportunities
• People to get access to specialised doctors on their doorstep