Address gaps in rural healthcare accessibility, ensure timely availability of life-saving drugs: Sakeena Itoo

Posted by admin_kas on 2025-02-19 21:35:44 |

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Srinagar, Feb 19: Minister for Health and Medical Education Sakeena Itoo Wednesday asked the officers to address the gaps in rural healthcare accessibility and ensure timely availability of life-saving drugs as well as other healthcare facilities to the public.

She said the while chairing a meeting at Civil Secretariat Srinagar to review the performance and functioning of Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education departments in Baramulla district.

While reviewing the status of healthcare facilities, availability of medicines and infrastructure in hospitals, CHCs and PHCs across the district, Sakeena Itoo stressed on the  importance of strengthening healthcare services, ensuring adequate medical staff and expediting work on ongoing projects to enhance patient care.

She called upon the officers of health department to fill the vacancies of paramedics and doctors to address the staff constraints on health facilities.

The Minister further directed the officers of health department to conduct drug audit of all the medical and chemist shops to control malpractices, if any. She asked them to ensure that the establishments are complying with regulations like installation of CCTV cameras, implementation of computerized billing systems and maintenance of psychotropic drug records.

The meeting was attended by MLA Uri Sajad Ahmad, MLA Wagoora-Kreeri, Irfan Hafeez Lone, MLA Sopore Irshad Ahmad Kar, MLA Pattan Javaid Riyaz Bedar, MLA Tangmarg Farooq Ahmad Shah, MLA Baramulla Javed Hassan Beigh, District Development Commissioner Baramulla Minga Sherpa,  Director Coordination New Medical Colleges, Heads of Departments of Health, Social Welfare, Director SKIMS Soura, Principal GMC Baramulla, CMO Baramulla and other senior officers from Health and Medical Education and Social Welfare department.

While reviewing performance of Social Welfare department in the district, the minister assessed implementation of various beneficiary oriented schemes for senior citizens, differently-abled individuals and women.

She called for transparency and efficiency in disbursing financial assistance, ensuring that beneficiaries receive their entitlements without delays.

She also highlighted the need for creating awareness among the masses regarding schemes so that maximum people can take benefits.