Pulwama, July 28 — In a bold and unannounced move, Jammu and Kashmir Health Minister Sakina Itoo paid a surprise visit to District Hospital Pulwama on Sunday, accompanied by Rajpora MLA and senior health officials. The minister’s visit caught hospital staff off guard and revealed several lapses in patient care and staff attendance.
Walking through the emergency ward, OPD, and maternity section, the minister interacted directly with patients and attendants, who voiced concerns about irregular doctor availability, long waiting times, and lack of basic facilities.
“People deserve dignity and timely treatment. If the system fails, someone must be answerable,” said Sakina Itoo, speaking to the media after her visit.
Taking serious note of the complaints, the Health Minister announced a major reshuffle of doctors and medical staff in the coming days, stating that the government is committed to improving healthcare delivery in South Kashmir, especially in Pulwama district, which serves thousands of patients daily.
“This is not a warning—this is a wake-up call. Doctors must understand that government service is a duty, not a privilege,” she added.
The minister also inspected the hospital’s infrastructure, reviewed medicine availability, and directed hospital administrators to submit a performance report within a week. She assured the public that any negligence or absenteeism would not be tolerated.
The Rajpora MLA, who accompanied the minister, echoed her concerns and highlighted the urgent need to deploy specialist doctors and essential staff at the hospital to reduce patient referrals to Srinagar.
Locals and patient attendants welcomed the visit, calling it a “much-needed intervention” that brought hope for real reform in the healthcare system.
“For the first time, someone in power has listened to us inside the hospital, not just from behind a podium,” said Javed Ahmad, a patient’s father.
