New GMCs to draft tertiary care expansion plans

Jammu, Mar 23: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo Sunday chaired a high-level review meeting on infrastructure and service upgradation in Jammu and Kashmir’s healthcare sector.

The meeting assessed progress on key projects, the introduction of specialized medical courses, faculty recruitment, and strategies to address the shortage of doctors in remote areas.

Dulloo directed the Principals of newly established Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) to formulate augmentation plans to reduce patient referrals and enhance tertiary care services. He stressed the need for resource optimisation and collaboration with SKIMS and GMCs of Srinagar and Jammu to strengthen critical care services.

Emphasising timely medical interventions, he urged GMCs to procure necessary equipment, train staff, and improve emergency response.

The meeting also reviewed applications for new MD, MS, DM, MCH, and DNB courses, with the Chief Secretary instructing institutions to rigorously pursue National Medical Commission (NMC) approvals.

The introduction of 50 additional MBBS seats in new medical colleges was also discussed. Dulloo called for urgent faculty recruitment, including hiring on academic arrangements where necessary.

He directed authorities to incentivize doctors to serve in remote areas by offering hardship and non-practising allowances.

Health and Medical Education Secretary Syed Abid Rasheed Shah said that 333 applications have been submitted for postgraduate medical seats, with approvals secured for two DM Neurology seats at GMC Srinagar and three Public Health Dentistry seats at IGGDC Jammu.

To expedite faculty recruitment, 50 appointment orders and 51 academic engagement orders have been issued.

Additionally, a three-member NMC Coordination Cell has been formed to resolve approval challenges.

Infrastructure development was also reviewed, with MD NHM Nazim Zia stating that key projects under the PM-ABHIM scheme are progressing swiftly. Work on critical care blocks, CHCs, and Block Public Health Units has been awarded, with 77 sites already under development. Procurement of a Linear Accelerator (LINAC) for the State Cancer Institutes is in the final stages.

The meeting also took stock of medical colleges under construction. GMC Udhampur is expected to be completed by July 2025, while GMC Handwara’s relocation is in the final stages. The Pediatric Hospital in Srinagar is fully operational, and Jammu’s Super Specialty Hospital has been equipped with a state-of-the-art Cath Lab.

To bridge the doctor shortage, 275 medical officers are set to be appointed, while 582 non-gazetted posts have been referred for immediate recruitment.