Srinagar, August 23: Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir, Atal Dulloo, today conducted a comprehensive inspection of two premier healthcare institutions in Srinagar – the 500-Bedded Government Children Hospital at Bemina and the Bone & Joint Hospital at Barzulla. He was accompanied by Secretary Health & Medical Education, Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah; Principal GMC Srinagar, Prof. (Dr.) Iffat Hassan Shah; and Administrator Associated Hospitals, Mohammad Ashraf Hakaak.
At the Children Hospital Bemina, the Chief Secretary visited key sections including the NICU, PICU, Dialysis Centre, Pediatric Super-specialty wards, and Pediatric Surgery theatre. He interacted with faculty members and reviewed the advanced medical services being provided under 16 newly established pediatric super-specialties.
Officials briefed him about the hospital’s patient care, referral system, and diagnostic facilities. Dulloo directed the Roads & Buildings Department to expedite the construction of the upcoming Diagnostic Block, which will include CT Scan, MRI, and Digital Radiography facilities, with vertical expansion for three additional floors to house more super-specialty services.
A detailed presentation highlighted the working of critical departments such as Pediatric Surgery, Nephrology, Hematology, Ophthalmology, Cardiology, Gastroenterology, Pulmonology, Microbiology, and Radiology. The Chief Secretary appreciated the hospital’s significant role in reducing Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) and Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) below the national average and stressed the need for setting new benchmarks for growth and expansion.
He also expressed satisfaction over the fellowship programmes in Pediatric Neonatology and Neurology, along with the proposed fellowship in Pediatric Nephrology. It was further informed that MD seats in General Pediatrics will be enhanced from 17 to 21.
Later, at the Bone & Joint Hospital Barzulla, the Chief Secretary inspected patient care facilities and reviewed the newly inaugurated 160-bedded hospital block. He assessed the availability of orthopedic services and emphasized that the enhanced bed capacity and modern OTs should translate into better patient outcomes and quality orthopedic care across the Kashmir Valley.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to strengthening healthcare in Jammu and Kashmir, Dulloo underlined that the administration is prioritizing specialized medical services, infrastructure upgrades, and equitable access to healthcare facilities for citizens.
