Sakeena Itoo, the Minister for Health, Medical Education, Social Welfare, and Education, inaugurated the highly anticipated Catheterization Laboratory and the newly constructed Block-A at the Mirza Mohammad Afzal Beigh Memorial Associated Hospital, GMC Anantnag. This momentous occasion marked a key milestone for the healthcare system in South Kashmir, with GMC Anantnag becoming the first among newly established medical colleges in Jammu and Kashmir to have its own dedicated Cath-Lab.
During her address, Minister Sakeena Itoo emphasised that the inauguration of the Cath-Lab and Block-A was a groundbreaking step in improving healthcare services in South Kashmir. She stressed that this facility would offer the people of the region access to world-class cardiac care close to their homes, reducing the need for long-distance travel to other areas for treatment. With this advancement, GMC Anantnag is now equipped to provide the most advanced medical care, especially in the area of cardiac healthcare.
The Minister expressed that the government, under the leadership of Omar Abdullah, has always been committed to providing world-class healthcare services within reach of the people. “The present government is determined to enhance medical infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir and to address existing challenges in the health sector,” she stated. Acknowledging the shortage of medical personnel, Sakeena assured that the government was taking steps to fill these gaps and strengthen the healthcare workforce.
Sakeena Itoo also took a moment to praise the administration and staff of GMC Anantnag for their relentless dedication to providing high-quality healthcare to the people of South Kashmir. She commended their efforts in ensuring the well-being of the local population, despite the challenges they face.
Dr. Rukhsana Najeeb, Principal and Dean of GMC Anantnag, spoke about the significant progress made at the institution, highlighting the improvements in both infrastructure and manpower. She thanked the Health Minister for her unwavering support and commitment to upgrading the medical college and its facilities, which would directly benefit the people of South Kashmir. She also expressed her gratitude to the government for the opening of the new facilities, which would provide top-tier medical care closer to home for many.
A notable outcome of this initiative is that the people of South Kashmir, along with the residents of the Pir Panjal region, will now be able to receive advanced cardiac care in their local vicinity. The Cath-Lab will enable timely interventions and treatments for heart-related issues, improving the quality of healthcare in the region.
In recognition of the exceptional contributions to cardiac care at GMC Anantnag, the Minister also felicitated three distinguished cardiologists from the institution—Dr. Syed Maqbool, Dr. Shamim Iqbal, and Dr. Showkat Hussain Shah. These doctors were acknowledged for their exemplary dedication and commitment to providing excellent healthcare services, particularly in the field of cardiology.
This development marks a transformative step in the healthcare landscape of South Kashmir, ensuring that the region can now offer high-quality medical services to its residents. With the introduction of advanced facilities like the Cath-Lab, the vision of accessible and world-class healthcare for all is becoming a reality, bringing hope and relief to thousands of people in the region.