Srinagar, Feb 11 (KNO): Jammu and Kashmir’s Health and Medical Education Minister, Sakeena Itoo, on Wednesday said a massive expansion and modernisation of the Union Territory’s healthcare infrastructure is coming up to improve patient care, increase hospital capacity and bring advanced medical services closer to the people.
Speaking during the grants discussion for the health sector in the Legislative Assembly, the minister, as reported by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said the government has launched a comprehensive plan to strengthen hospitals across J&K, with a particular focus on critical care, emergency services, cancer treatment and modern diagnostics.
Itoo informed the House that a new 160-bedded block at B&J Hospital, Srinagar, has already become operational, significantly boosting healthcare capacity. She said 243 new beds have been added at SMGS Hospital, Srinagar, easing the long-standing pressure on surgical services.
The minister announced that the government plans to add nearly 3,200 hospital beds across Jammu and Kashmir within the next two years, marking one of the largest capacity expansions in the region’s healthcare history. To strengthen life-saving care, she said 900 additional critical care beds will be established in hospitals across all districts, ensuring improved emergency response and treatment for serious patients.
Highlighting ongoing construction projects, Itoo said major works are progressing at: SKIMS Bemina, aimed at enhancing tertiary healthcare services, New Theatre Block at SMHS Hospital, Srinagar, to expand surgical capacity, ENT Block at GMC Srinagar with 30 beds, improving specialised care, District Hospital Budgam, which is being upgraded to strengthen local healthcare delivery
“These projects are designed to modernise hospitals and reduce the need for patients to travel long distances for specialised treatment,” she said.
In a major step to improve trauma and emergency care, the Health Minister announced that dedicated Emergency Medicine Departments will be established in all new Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) across J&K. “This will ensure timely, specialised treatment for accident victims, cardiac emergencies and critical patients,” she added.
Itoo further said that two Cath Labs have already been set up, including one at GMC Anantnag, enabling advanced cardiac procedures closer to home. The new Cath Labs will also be established at GMC Baramulla and GMC Rajouri, and another Cath Lab at GMC Doda is in the pipeline, she added.
To improve diagnostic services, the government is also rolling out CT scan facilities in several hospitals across J&K, new MRI machines for all newly established GMCs, SKIMS Soura and GMC Jammu. “These modern diagnostic tools will drastically reduce referral burdens and waiting times for patients," Itoo said.
Addressing cancer treatment facilities, the minister informed the House that PET Scan services are being made available at GMC Srinagar, a major leap in cancer diagnosis and monitoring. She added that in the coming phase, PET Scan facilities will also be introduced at GMC Anantnag and GMC Kathua.
Itoo further announced an ambitious plan to strengthen cancer treatment infrastructure across J&K, saying that chemotherapy facilities will be established in 86 Sub-District Hospitals (SDHs) and Community Health Centres (CHCs) within the next 15 months, expansion of hemodialysis units, along with new X-ray machines and the addition of 44 new ambulances to improve emergency response
She revealed that the government is formulating a dedicated Cancer Control Strategy for Jammu and Kashmir, with reputed national institutions, including Tata group healthcare institutions, being roped in for technical support and expertise.
As part of preventive healthcare, Itoo announced a free cervical cancer screening drive for girls aged 9 to 15 years, aimed at early detection and long-term cancer prevention. “This is a major step toward reducing cancer-related mortality and promoting preventive healthcare among young girls,” she said.
Acknowledging manpower gaps in the health sector, the minister said the government is actively working to fill vacancies through regular recruitment processes and academic arrangements to ensure uninterrupted services
She further informed the House that MBBS and postgraduate medical seats have already been increased, with more expansions expected in the coming period to build a stronger healthcare workforce for J&K.”
The focus, Itoo said, is on building a robust, accessible and modern healthcare system. “Our aim is to ensure that people of Jammu and Kashmir receive quality medical care within their own districts, without the burden of referrals to outside states. From infrastructure and technology to human resources and preventive care, every gap is being systematically addressed,” the Health Minister told the Assembly—(KNO)