CM Omar emphasises healthcare’s role in community, cultural engagement

Srinagar, Jan 10: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday unveiled the 2026 calendar of Paras Health Srinagar, marking an initiative that underscores the evolving role of healthcare institutions beyond clinical care to include community engagement and social wellbeing.

The calendar features original artworks by acclaimed Kashmiri artist Masood Hussain, portraying Srinagar’s cultural and architectural heritage, said a press release.  The calendar presents visual narratives of Mughal gardens, traditional wooden architecture, Dal Lake, shikaras, and everyday life in downtown Srinagar. Through this initiative, Paras Health Srinagar integrates regional identity and cultural familiarity into the hospital environment, reflecting a holistic approach to healthcare delivery, it said.

Speaking at the event, CM Omar said, “Healthcare institutions today are expected to engage with the communities they serve beyond infrastructure and medical outcomes. Initiatives that recognise local culture and support regional talent help build patient trust, emotional comfort, and a sense of belonging, all of which are increasingly recognised as critical to recovery and overall wellbeing. Such efforts complement the ongoing strengthening of tertiary healthcare services in the region.”

Dr Murtuza Habib, Facility Director, Paras Health Srinagar, said, “The calendar reflects our belief that healthcare outcomes are closely linked to emotional and psychological environments. A hospital is not only a space for treatment but also a place where patients and families spend extended periods under stress, making it essential to create an environment that reflects familiarity, culture, and shared identity as part of compassionate care. Working with a local artist enabled us to bring this vision to life, as Masood Hussain’s artwork both supports regional creative talent and ensures that the visual environment within our spaces resonates with the people of Jammu and Kashmir, reinforcing our ongoing commitment to patient-centric and culturally sensitive healthcare.”

Artist Masood Hussain said, “This collaboration allowed art to be positioned within a setting associated with care and healing. The artworks focus on everyday spaces in Srinagar that hold collective memory and meaning. I welcome the hospital’s effort to integrate cultural expression into a healthcare institution.”

The launched calendar reinforces Paras Health Srinagar’s continued commitment to a holistic approach to healthcare, where emotional well-being, cultural connection, and empathy are recognised as integral to the healing process. Alongside delivering tertiary and specialised medical services, the hospital continues to foster care environments that are inclusive, patient-centric, and closely connected to the communities it serves.