The Administrative Secretary of Health & Medical Education (H&ME), Dr Syed Abid Rasheed Shah on Saturday said the establishment of medical colleges has significantly transformed the healthcare sector in Jammu and Kashmir.
“We will further enhance medical education to attain the highest national rankings,” Dr Abid said at the farewell-cum-freshers’ event at Government Medical College (GMC), Anantnag where he was invited as the Chief Guest.
The college celebrated the graduation of around 100 doctors, marking the passage of their first batch.
The Secretary H&ME said medical colleges in Anantnag, Baramulla, Kathua, Doda, and Rajouri commenced their classes in 2019, with the first batch graduating from all these colleges. These institutions constituted phase one of the new medical colleges initiative. Subsequently, two more medical colleges, GMC Udhampur and HMC Handwara, were established.
Dr Abid said that starting a medical college from a district hospital poses numerous challenges, but once operational, it significantly transforms the healthcare sector. He said the advancements in procedures, patient care, healthcare services, and infrastructural development brought about by these medical colleges have led to an overall improvement in healthcare.
“The substantial influx of infrastructure, including machinery and equipment, due to the efforts of the Government of India and the Government of J&K, has greatly benefited the people,” he said, adding that various procedures that were previously unavailable are now being performed due to the presence of these medical colleges in these places.
The Secretary said that in medical education, 50 percent of students are from J&K, while the other 50 percent come from outside the UT. The performance of these medical colleges has been commendable, and I express gratitude to all those involved in shaping the future doctors who will care for patients, both from within and outside J&K.
“Looking ahead, there is a commitment to enhancing the standards of medical education in these institutions. The faculty members and the Department of Medical Education are working tirelessly to create an ecosystem conducive to achieving national recognition in medical education,” he remarked.
Addressing the longstanding demand for MRI facilities, Dr Shah said, “Efforts will be made to augment machinery and equipment in a phased manner. However, hospital performance is not solely reliant on machinery; the dedication and performance of doctors, paramedics, nurses, and technicians play a crucial role in ensuring patient care and welfare despite challenges.”
Besides Secretary H&ME, former Principals of GMC Anantnag, including Dr (Prof) Showket Jeelani and Dr (Prof) Syed Tariq Qureshi, were honoured as ‘Guests of Honour’. Principal GMC Srinagar, Dr (Prof) Iffat Hassan, and Principal GMC Baramulla, Dr (Prof) Ruby Reshi, attended the occasion as special guests. Moreover, Principal GMC Anantnag, Dr Anjum Farhana, Dr Fouzia Nazir, and CMO Anantnag, Dr M Y Zagoo, were also present.
Meanwhile, the first-ever GMC Anantang college tarana written by versatile poet and Head Department of Pediatrics, Dr Showkat Shifa was also released on the occasion.
