As new Medical Officers join service, CM stresses expansion of quality healthcare beyond Jammu, Srinagar

Ziraat Times News Desk

SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 02: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday handed over appointment orders to newly appointed Medical Officers of the Department of Health & Medical Education at a ceremony held at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) here.

Personally handing over the appointment orders to the newly recruited Medical Officers appointed across Jammu & Kashmir, the Chief Minister congratulated them on joining government service and urged them to regard their appointment as the beginning of a new chapter dedicated to serving the people.

Addressing the gathering, Omar Abdullah said the appointment marked the culmination of years of hard work, perseverance and sacrifice by the doctors and their families.

“Today, a new chapter of your lives is about to begin. What you will write in this chapter and what you will leave for others to read is up to you,” he said, acknowledging the contribution and sacrifices of the parents and families who supported the doctors throughout their journey.

Recalling the rigorous journey from admission to medical college through medical education, training, internship and recruitment, the Chief Minister said the newly appointed Medical Officers had earned their positions through sustained effort.

He, however, emphasised that joining government service carried a greater responsibility, particularly in the health sector, where people approach doctors during some of the most difficult and vulnerable moments of their lives.

“People have high expectations from you. In the most difficult of times, when people go in search of someone, they go in search of a doctor. Some people will reach you when they have given up all their hopes, and they will see the last ray of hope in you,” he said.

Focus on healthcare in remote areas

Urging the doctors to serve wherever they are posted, particularly in remote and underserved areas, Omar Abdullah said strengthening healthcare delivery at the grassroots was essential to reducing the burden on hospitals in Jammu and Srinagar.

He said people should not have to travel from sub-district and district hospitals to the major cities for routine medical procedures and treatment.

“Normal deliveries, gallbladder and appendicitis surgeries—these should be available at the sub-district level, and at least at the district level where they cannot be provided at the sub-district level. But often we see patients being referred directly to Srinagar or Jammu,” he said.

The Chief Minister said the Government expected the newly appointed doctors to help change the situation by providing quality and accessible healthcare closer to where people live.

At the same time, he acknowledged that doctors posted in remote areas would have legitimate expectations from the Government regarding infrastructure, connectivity and working conditions.

“You will expect us to provide you with proper infrastructure so that you can carry out your duties properly. You will expect us to provide you with proper connectivity in the areas where we post you,” he said, assuring that the Government would continue working to improve service conditions and healthcare infrastructure.

Omar Abdullah also shared an anecdote from an earlier interaction with newly appointed doctors to underline the need for a change in mindset towards postings in remote areas, observing that even relatively accessible locations were sometimes viewed as difficult postings.

Health, education priorities

“We have to change the future of Jammu and Kashmir. To change the future, we are paying special attention to two things—education and health,” the Chief Minister said.

He described education and health as the foundation of Jammu & Kashmir’s progress, saying development in other sectors would not reach its full potential unless people were educated and healthy.

The Chief Minister said this was the reason he attached particular importance to programmes of the Education and Health departments.

Government expanding medical education

Highlighting Government efforts to make medical education more accessible, Omar Abdullah said Jammu & Kashmir continues to substantially subsidise medical education so that students can pursue medical studies at comparatively affordable costs.

He pointed out that medical education in government medical colleges in J&K remains significantly cheaper than in several other States, despite the high cost involved in training a doctor.

“We happily accept this expense because we want more doctors to be made,” he said.

He added that the Government had also taken steps to increase the intake capacity of medical colleges in J&K in coordination with the Centre.

According to the Chief Minister, increasing the number of medical seats would create a larger pool of trained doctors who could eventually enter public service and contribute to healthcare delivery across Jammu & Kashmir.

Assuring the newly appointed Medical Officers of continued Government support, he said: “We will improve your service conditions so that you can carry out your work without fear. We will also improve your infrastructure. And in medical colleges, wherever there is a shortage, we will also improve it.”

Calls for dedication in public service

Calling upon the doctors to make the most of their long careers in public service, Omar Abdullah expressed hope that they would dedicate the coming decades to serving the people and contributing to the development of Jammu & Kashmir.

“You have entered the Government of Jammu and Kashmir. Please do your work with that spirit—with the hope that people see you in these positions, and with the hope that your parents and family, who helped you reach here by making sacrifices and supporting you, can be proud of you,” he said.

Congratulating the newly appointed Medical Officers, the Chief Minister wished them a successful and fulfilling career in public service and urged them to discharge their responsibilities with dedication and compassion.

Minister for Health & Medical Education Sakina Itoo, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Commissioner Secretary, Health & Medical Education, M. Raju, Mission Director, National Health Mission J&K, Akriti Sagar, faculty members of Health Services Kashmir, newly appointed Medical Officers and their parents were present on the occasion.