Efforts being made to address shortcomings in health dept: Sakina Itoo

Assures infrastructure upgrade, filling vacancies at District Hospital Shopian

Shopian: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Sakina Itoo said on Wednesday that efforts are being made to address the shortcomings in the health department across Jammu and Kashmir.

Speaking to reporters after visiting District Hospital Shopian, Itoo said that while there are existing gaps in the health department, substantial strides are being made to overcome these challenges.

“The health department in J&K has highly qualified doctors who provide excellent patient care, but there are gaps in infrastructure that need to be addressed,” Itoo said. She called for upgrading facilities so that patients do not have to seek treatment outside the region.

Accompanied by senior National Conference (NC) leaders, including MLA Shopian Showkat Hussain Ganie, the minister said the District Hospital Shopian is experiencing a high patient flow, especially from Poonch and Rajouri via the Mughal Road. However, she added that the hospital lacks adequate space and several doctor and paramedic positions remain vacant.

“Upgrading infrastructure and filling the vacant positions are being prioritised,” she said. “Although District Hospital Shopian is a 100-bed facility, only 60 beds are available. We will make efforts to secure additional space to ensure that patients receive better care.”

Sakina said that healthcare is a fundamental right of every citizen, and no region should feel neglected. “We are prioritising resource allocation to areas that need it the most,” she said.

Residents of Shopian have expressed hope that these initiatives will ease their struggles in accessing adequate medical care.

The minister also praised the state of education in government schools, saying that both teaching facilities and faculty are of a high standard. “Government school students have been excelling in various fields, and the education department will work to encourage parents to admit their children to government schools for a bright future,” she said—(KNO)