Maximise accessibility of healthcare services in rural areas, says minister

Jammu and Kashmir Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Itoo, on Saturday chaired a comprehensive review meeting at the Civil Secretariat here regarding performance and functioning of the Health and Medical Education (HME) department in Srinagar, Budgam, Ganderbal and Pulwama districts.

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Several Deputy Commissioners, Principal, GMC Srinagar, Principal, Government Dental College, Srinagar, and other senior officers of health and medical education department attended the meeting.

A spokesperson said during the meeting, the Minister assessed medical infrastructure, human resources, medical supplies and equipment as well as emergency preparedness of each district.

She also took detailed appraisal regarding functioning of PHCs, CHCs, SDHs and district hospitals of all these districts.

Addressing the officers in the meeting, Sakeena Itoo stressed upon them for maximising accessibility of healthcare services in rural areas, especially during winters. She called upon them for posting of specialists and adequate staff in PHCs and CHCs so that people get best medical care in their vicinities without moving to tertiary care hospitals, the spokesperson said.

She also stressed upon the officers for enhancing the existing mobile health services for reaching out to remote areas more effectively.

While reviewing progress on ongoing projects in these districts, Itoo also impressed upon the officers for timely completion of these projects as they were vital for filling the gaps of progressive healthcare services for people.

She further encouraged the officers to prioritise establishment of more diagnostic centres and specialty services at district hospitals in order to cater to the increasing health needs of the people and reduce burden on tertiary care hospitals.

The Minister also called upon all Medical Superintendents to display rates of all diagnostic tests at designated places in their respective hospitals for ease of common masses.

While reviewing the status of human resource in health institutions of these districts, the Minister called upon the officers for timely filling of vacant posts through concerned recruiting agencies. She also directed for cancellation of attachments of all doctors and specialists for better healthcare services in these facilities.