Need people-centric approach in healthcare delivery: Sakeena Itoo

Jammu, Dec 24: In line with the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s Vision 2030 for health sector, aligned with J&K Vision Document @2047, Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Itoo chaired a detailed review meeting at Civil Secretariat here to assess the Health Department’s action plan for achieving this goal, primarily aimed at strengthening the public healthcare system across J&K, said an official press release.

The meeting was attended by Secretary, Health and Medical Education, Dr Syed Abid Rasheed Shah; MD NHM, Baseer ul Haq Chaudhary; CEO State Health Agency, Ananth Dwivedi; Managing Director, JKMSCL, Tariq Hussain Ganai; Commissioner Food and Drug Administration, Smita Sethi; Director SKIMS, Dr Ashraf Ganie; Director Finance Health, Director Planning Health, Director Health Services Kashmir/Jammu, Director Coordination, New GMCs, Director Family Welfare and Immunization, Principals of all Medical Colleges and other concerned officers, either in person or through video conferencing.

During the meeting, Minister Sakeena held detailed assessment of key priority areas like upgradation of healthcare infrastructure, strengthening primary and secondary healthcare services, human resource optimization, adoption of modern medical technologies, and improved availability of essential medicines and diagnostics. She also laid special emphasis on ensuring last-mile delivery of health services, particularly in rural and far-flung areas. The Minister emphasized upon the officers that the action plan for achieving the Vision 2030 must be meticulously designed to translate the Chief Minister’s vision of accessible, affordable and quality healthcare for all into tangible outcomes on the ground. “Time-bound implementation of ongoing initiatives, efficient resource utilization and people-centric approach in healthcare delivery is vital for achieving the objectives of Vision 2030”, Sakeena said.

The Minister also asked the CEO State Health Agency to strengthen the Anti Fraud Unit of the organisation so that the frauds involved in Sehat Scheme are timely tapped and due action is taken against the violators. She asked the CEO to break nexus between doctors and private hospitals involved in deceiving of patients under Sehat Scheme.

While reviewing the functioning of Food and Drug Administration, the Minister called upon the Commissioner for constant surveillance of food and eatery products being brought in to Jammu and Kashmir. She underscored that the market checking squads need to be strengthened at block, tehsil and district levels to maintain the food standards across Jammu and Kashmir.

Reiterating the CM Omar Abdullah led Government’s commitment to accessible, affordable health care services, the Minister said that the Health Department remains focused on building a resilient, inclusive and responsive healthcare system that meets the evolving needs of the population and upholds the promise of universal health coverage.