Srinagar: In a move aimed at improving healthcare access for working journalists in the Valley, the Press Club of Kashmir (PCK) on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Paras Health, Srinagar, to provide medical services at concessional rates under the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS).
The MoU was signed by Mohammad Saleem Pandit, President of the Press Club of Kashmir, and Dr. Murtaza Habib, Director of Facilities at Paras Health. The partnership will officially come into effect on October 20, 2025, after the completion of necessary formalities, including the submission of names of dependents and a registration fee of ₹2,000 for the issuance of a privilege card.
Under the arrangement, PCK members, along with their families and parents, will be entitled to medical consultations, diagnostic tests, and procedures at CGHS cash rates. The privilege cards will be co-signed by the PCK president and the Paras Health director.
Speaking about the agreement, PCK President Mohammad Saleem Pandit said the initiative would “significantly enhance healthcare access for journalists, many of whom face financial constraints in seeking quality treatment.”
Dr. Murtaza Habib described the collaboration as “a step toward building a culture of preventive healthcare” and assured that Paras Health would maintain its commitment to quality and affordability.
Paras Health, a NABH-accredited hospital, is already empanelled under CGHS across various departments and operates under tax exemption certification (17/28). With advanced infrastructure and a skilled team, it has positioned itself as one of the leading healthcare institutions in the region.
To mark the occasion, Paras Hospital also organized a free medical camp at the Press Club premises at Amira Kadal, Srinagar, offering basic health check-ups and consultations to journalists. Dr. Habib said similar outreach activities would continue in the coming months to benefit the larger community.
The Press Club expressed gratitude to Paras Health for extending its facilities to the media fraternity and reaffirmed its commitment to the welfare of journalists in Jammu & Kashmir.
(Reported by Zulfikar Majid, General Secretary, Press Club of Kashmir, Srinagar)
