Srinagar, Sep 2 (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday handed over appointment orders to newly-recruited Medical Officers of the Health and Medical Education Department and urged them to serve people with dedication, particularly in remote and underserved areas.
Addressing the newly appointed doctors at a function held at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) here, Abdullah said their appointment marked the beginning of a new chapter in their lives and a responsibility to serve the people.
“People have high expectations from you. In the most difficult of times, when people go in search of someone, they go in search of a doctor,” he said.
The chief minister urged the doctors to ensure quality healthcare is available closer to people’s homes and reduce unnecessary referrals to major hospitals in Srinagar and Jammu.
He said routine procedures, including normal deliveries and surgeries for gallbladder and appendicitis, should be available at sub-district or district hospitals wherever possible.
“People should not have to travel from sub-district and district hospitals to the major cities for routine medical procedures and treatment,” Abdullah said.
At the same time, he acknowledged the expectations of doctors posted in remote areas and assured them that the government would work to improve infrastructure, connectivity and working conditions.
“You will expect us to provide you with proper infrastructure so that you can carry out your duties properly. You will expect us to provide you with proper connectivity in the areas where we post you,” he said.
Abdullah said education and health were the two sectors to which his government was paying special attention, describing them as the foundation for the future development of Jammu and Kashmir.
“We have to change the future of Jammu and Kashmir. To change the future, we are paying special attention to two things—education and health,” he said.
The chief minister also highlighted the government’s efforts to make medical education more accessible and said the administration was working to increase the intake capacity of medical colleges in the Union Territory in coordination with the Centre.
He said increasing medical seats would help create a larger pool of trained doctors who could eventually contribute to public healthcare delivery.
Assuring the newly appointed Medical Officers of continued government support, Abdullah said service conditions and healthcare infrastructure would be improved to enable doctors to discharge their duties effectively.
The chief minister congratulated the doctors and their families, acknowledging the years of hard work, training and sacrifices that went into their medical education and recruitment.
He urged the new Medical Officers to make the most of their careers in public service and discharge their responsibilities with dedication and compassion.
Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Commissioner Secretary, Health and Medical Education, M Raju, Mission Director, National Health Mission J&K, Akriti Sagar, faculty members of Health Services Kashmir, newly appointed Medical Officers and their parents were present at the event.—(NVI)
