J&K Chief Secy Discusses Health Infrastructure with Union Health Secretary

The Chief Secretary later chaired another high-level meeting to review the status of major health infrastructure projects in Jammu and Kashmir.

Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo held an extensive discussion with Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, Punya Salila Srivastava, to explore avenues for strengthening health infrastructure and improving healthcare services across Jammu and Kashmir.

At the beginning of the meeting, the Chief Secretary expressed gratitude to the Ministry for increasing MBBS intake capacity in several medical colleges in the Union Territory.

The discussion reviewed the progress of centrally sponsored construction projects, the introduction of specialization courses such as MD/MS, DM/MCH, and DNB in new medical colleges, and the proposal to add 50 MBBS seats in colleges that applied.

The talks also addressed support for strengthening tertiary care facilities in the newly established Government Medical Colleges.

The Chief Secretary sought intervention from the Ministry to expedite the completion of AIIMS Awantipora and facilitate the expansion of AIIMS Jammu. He assured the Union Health Secretary of full cooperation from the J&K administration in implementing all initiatives.

The Union Health Secretary assured the Chief Secretary of sympathetic consideration and timely action on all the issues raised during the meeting.

Meanwhile, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo chaired a high-level review meeting to assess the functioning of the Food Safety Wing of the Drug & Food Control Organization (DFCO), following recent seizures of rotten meat in various parts of Jammu and Kashmir.

Emphasizing public health, the Chief Secretary stressed the importance of strengthening enforcement mechanisms, surveillance, and strict regulatory controls to ensure safe and hygienic food supply across the Union Territory.

He directed the intensification of inspections across all food businesses, particularly high-risk Food Business Operators, and called for stricter deterrents against violators.

“Highlighting the limitations of mere penalties, the Chief Secretary instructed that convictions, license suspensions, and criminal proceedings be pursued vigorously to curb malpractices. He further directed formulation of a robust enforcement action plan to ensure comprehensive implementation of the Food Safety & Standards Act.”

During the meeting, Secretary, Health & Medical Education, Dr. Syed Abid Rashid Shah outlined the mandate of the Drug & Food Control Organization under the Food Safety & Standards Act. Commissioner, FDA, Smita Sethi, presented the organization’s performance highlights.

The Chief Secretary later chaired another high-level meeting to review the status of major health infrastructure projects in Jammu and Kashmir.

He urged accelerating the pace of ongoing works and ensuring that all projects are completed and made fully functional during the upcoming working season.

He reviewed the progress of seven newly established medical colleges and their associated hospitals, focusing on college buildings, administrative blocks, hostels, residential quarters, and hospital complexes.

He also appraised infrastructure upgrades in the older GMCs of Srinagar and Jammu, including projects at LD Hospital, SMHS Hospital, and GMC Srinagar.

The Chief Secretary laid special emphasis on the timely completion of the LD Hospital project, funded by the World Bank under the JTFRP, with a committed deadline of August 2026.

He directed that the two State Cancer Institutes at Jammu and Srinagar be made fully functional at the earliest by installing the necessary LINAC machines and other advanced equipment.

Reviewing health projects in Jammu, the Chief Secretary stressed the need to make the B&J Hospital of GMC Jammu fully operational with all mandated facilities. He also reviewed the functioning of Chopra Nursing Home, the construction of a 243-bedded Labour Block at SMGS Hospital, and upgradation works at Indira Gandhi Government Dental College.

Other projects discussed included infrastructure upgrades and expansions at SKIMS Medical College, Bemina; hospitals at Reshipora, Budgam, and Sunderbani; upgradation of SDH Nowshera and Billawar; new facilities at Rajouri, Kishtwar, Kathua, and Anantnag.

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