Srinagar, Jun 6 (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Saturday reviewed the progress of health sector reforms in the Union Territory and stressed the need for expanding trauma care, emergency medicine and critical care services across all major healthcare institutions.
Chairing a high-level meeting in Srinagar, Dulloo assessed reforms aimed at strengthening tertiary and secondary healthcare services, expanding medical education, improving digital health infrastructure and enhancing access to specialised treatment facilities.
Officials informed the meeting that collaborative frameworks have been established among Government Medical Colleges, SKIMS, AIIMS Jammu and other institutions to strengthen specialty and super-specialty services, research initiatives, academic collaboration and digital healthcare delivery.
Emphasising quality patient care, the Chief Secretary said every tertiary care institution should strive to establish and strengthen trauma care, emergency medicine and critical care services, describing them as key determinants of healthcare outcomes.
He directed the Health and Medical Education Department to ensure that the benefits of reforms extend beyond newly established medical colleges to district and sub-district hospitals, particularly in areas without medical colleges, to ensure balanced healthcare development across the Union Territory.
Dulloo assured full administrative and financial support for viable healthcare initiatives and urged officials to formulate innovative proposals aimed at improving patient care, medical education and service delivery.
Highlighting the role of technology in healthcare, he called for expanding Virtual Medical Boards to more specialties and institutions and advocated the introduction of virtual academic sessions, grand rounds and online teaching platforms in peripheral healthcare facilities.
The Chief Secretary also stressed the need for a clearly defined accountability framework and a robust monitoring and evaluation mechanism supported by information technology for real-time assessment of healthcare services and institutional performance.
He directed the department to identify measurable targets for the next six months, one year and two years in healthcare services, medical education and research.
Commissioner Secretary, Health and Medical Education, M Raju informed the meeting that proposals have been submitted for enhancement of 300 MBBS seats, 243 MD/MS seats, 64 DM/MCh super-specialty seats and additional DNB seats across various institutions. Several proposals have already undergone inspection and approval processes with regulatory bodies, he said.
The meeting was also informed that Tele-MANAS and tele-psychiatry services have been operationalised in major institutions and that de-addiction and mental health facilities have been significantly expanded across the Union Territory.
Officials said a three-tier Substance Use Disorder (SUD) service delivery framework has been developed to strengthen prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and community-based support systems.
Director SKIMS, Dr Ashraf Ganai, informed the meeting that a J&K Research Consortium has been constituted to promote collaborative research among SKIMS, Government Medical Colleges and AIIMS Jammu.
A presentation by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence highlighted the conduct of Virtual Medical Boards in disciplines including neurology, psychiatry, surgery and anaesthesiology. Tele-ICU facilities are also proposed in seven new Government Medical Colleges under a hub-and-spoke model.
The meeting was further informed that tele-radiology services are being established to provide specialist radiological support to remote and underserved areas.
Reviewing food safety initiatives, officials said over 1,700 food safety cases were adjudicated during the last financial year, resulting in penalties exceeding Rs 1.67 crore, while laboratory infrastructure and testing capabilities have also been strengthened.
The meeting also discussed upcoming initiatives in mental health, liver transplant services and dental healthcare. Officials said efforts are underway in collaboration with premier institutions to establish advanced liver and biliary care services in Jammu and Kashmir.
Dulloo said the ultimate objective of the reforms was to ensure accessible, affordable and high-quality healthcare for every citizen and stressed the importance of technology, research, capacity building and institutional collaboration in transforming the healthcare sector.(NVI)
