Says doctor shortage is being addressed, lab and dialysis facilities being upgraded across J&K
Diplomat Correspondent
Srinagar,(DD)Health Minister Sakina Itoo today reaffirmed the Omar Abdullah-led government’s commitment to expanding public services across Jammu and Kashmir, especially in critical sectors like healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
During her visit to JLNM Hospital Rainawari in Srinagar, where she inaugurated a state-of-the-art testing laboratory built at a cost of over ₹3 crore, the minister emphasized the administration’s proactive approach. “Our government is consistently working to ensure essential services reach every corner of the Union Territory,” she said while interacting with media.
Highlighting the significance of the new lab, she noted, “Previously, patients had to send their samples to GMC or SKIMS, leading to long delays in receiving test results. Now, reports will be available within 2–3 days at the local level, which is a big relief for the community.”
On addressing the longstanding issue of doctor shortages, the minister stated, “Not much was done for years, but we are now actively working to fill the gaps. Doctors previously attached elsewhere have been sent back to their original postings to improve services at the grassroots level.”
She further added that the government’s priority is to ensure adequate staffing, upgrade medical equipment, and expand facilities. “Dialysis units will soon be made available in Sub-District Hospitals (SDHs), marking a major step toward decentralized and accessible healthcare,” she said(DD)