CM conducts surprise inspection at two major hospitals in Srinagar

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday conducted surprise inspections of two premier health institutions in Srinagar to gain “firsthand knowledge” of the facilities and services being provided to patients and their attendants.

He visited the Bone and Joint Hospital in Barzulla and the 500-bedded Children’s Hospital in Bemina to gain a first-hand knowledge of the facilities and services being provided to patients and their attendants, officials said. Abdullah was accompanied by Health Minister Sakina Itoo.

During his inspection at the Bone and Joint Hospital, Abdullah toured various sections and wards and interacted with patients and attendants to understand their concerns. He engaged with the hospital staff to assess the winter arrangements, treatment facilities and availability of medical professionals and paramedics, a spokesperson said.

Omar Abdullah also inspected the state-of-the-art additional block of the hospital constructed under the Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project (JTFRP) with funding from the World Bank.

According to the officials, during his visit, the Chief Minister emphasised the need to expedite the completion of the new block, which is critical for addressing the space crunch caused by a fire incident in 2022 that reduced the hospital’s original capacity of 200 beds.

Omar directed the executing agencies to ensure its swift operationalisation by January 2025 to enhance patient care and to dedicate the facility to public service.

The spokesperson said the Chief Minister also inspected the 500-bedded Children’s Hospital in Bemina, where he interacted with patients, attendants and hospital staff.

During his visit, attendants from far-flung areas raised concerns about the lack of a sarai (inn) for their stay. Omar immediately directed the concerned authorities to construct a sarai to accommodate attendants and alleviate their difficulties, the spokesperson noted.

Officials said the hospital staff highlighted the challenges of expanding super-specialty facilities due to express space constraints.

The Chief Minister assured them that the issue would be addressed on priority. Omar 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.

The Chief Minister also instructed hospital authorities to ensure timely availability of medicines and other essential facilities for patients.

During the inspections, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reiterated his government’s commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure ensuring better facilities for the public and addressing manpower shortages in health institutions across Jammu and Kashmir.