The Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has approved enhancement of 70 more PG seats in different disciplines for the Government Medical Colleges in Jammu and Kashmir from the 2017-18 session. As per the technical norms and student-faculty ratio, 20 seats have been increased in SKIMS, Soura, 37 in GMC, Srinagar and 13 in GMC, Jammu.This was revealed at a meeting between Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Jai Prakash Nadda and Minister for Health & Medical Education, Bali Bhagat held in Union capital here today.Mr. Bali held wide-ranging discussion on the overall health scenario in Jammu and Kashmir and drew the attention of Union Minister towards the issues of prominence that need to be prioritized to improve the patient care. The issues, which figured in the meeting included, release of balance funds under PMDP, reimbursement of non-Plan budget under Family Welfare Scheme, expediting formal sanction and release of funds for Medical College, Doda, release of funds for State Cancer Institutes, establishment/upgradation of drug testing laboratories in the state, release of funds for three Tertiary Care Cancer Centres, establishment of Burn Care Unit at GMC, Jammu and establishment of two AIIMS, one each at Kashmir and Jammu.
Mr. J.P. Nadda informed that the Union Government has flagged Jammu and Kashmir as priority State so far as health sector is concerned. He said that the remaining amount of Rs. 50 crore under PMDP has been released for expeditious completion of various important health projects. He also apprised that the funds to the tune of Rs. 44.54 crore under Infrastructure Maintenance Pool on account of salary of staff borne on CSS-Family Welfare Scheme have also been released during the current financial year.Regarding the establishment of AIIMS in Kashmir and Jammu, the Union Minister revealed that a joint team of officers of Central and State Governments will soon conduct the inspection of proposed sites and take a decision accordingly. Similarly, for setting up of State Cancer Institutes at SKIMS, Soura and GMC, Jammu, a team of experts will visit the State shortly for the on-spot study and take appropriate decision accordingly.Mr. Nadda assured Mr. Bali for expeditious disposal of all pending issues relating to the health sector in Jammu and Kashmir. He, however, called for a close synergy between the State officers and Union Ministry for clearing certain technicalities relating to some important projects.Senior officers of Union Health & Family Welfare Ministry including, Joint Secretary, Arun Singla were present in the meeting.