In a landmark development for the healthcare sector of Jammu and Kashmir, Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first newly established GMC in J&K to receive approval to start a Superspeciality course in Cardiology.
The National Board of Examinations has accredited “Three Dr NB Cardiology seats” to the Department of Cardiology GMC Anantnag. The approval marks a major step forward in the transformation of GMC Anantnag into a centre of advanced medical education and tertiary care, and reflects the sustained efforts of Omar Abdullah led Government to expand access to specialised healthcare services in the region.
Congratulating the administration, faculty, and staff of GMC Anantnag, Minister for Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo lauded the dedication and teamwork of GMC Anantnag in achieving this prestigious feat. She said that the sanctioning of a Superspeciality Cardiology course is a testament to the Government’s unwavering resolve to upgrade healthcare infrastructure and medical education across Jammu and Kashmir.
“The Government is determined to ensure that people of Jammu and Kashmir have access to high-quality specialised healthcare. The approval of a Superspeciality Cardiology course at GMC Anantnag is a major stride in that direction. It will not only strengthen tertiary care services in South Kashmir but also reduce the need for patients to seek advanced cardiac treatment outside the region,” the Minister stated.
She further emphasised that the Government has adopted a comprehensive approach to strengthen medical institutions through infrastructure development, recruitment of specialist faculty, procurement of advanced equipment, and expansion of academic programmes.
“With the introduction of the Superspeciality Cardiology course, GMC Anantnag is poised to emerge as a key hub for advanced cardiac care, research, and training. The development is expected to greatly benefit cardiac patients by providing timely and specialised treatment closer to home, while also creating new opportunities for postgraduate medical aspirants”, Minister Sakeena said.
She added that this unique achievement stands as a reflection of the Government’s broader vision to build a robust, accessible, and patient-centric healthcare system across Jammu and Kashmir. Pertinently, the accreditation from the National Board of Examinations (NBEMS) for Superspeciality course in Cardiology solidifies the stature of GMC Anantnag as a premier hub for both advanced cardiac treatment and specialist medical training and sets a benchmark for the peripheral medical colleges in the rest of the country.
Construction of 50 bedded Additional Block at SDH Sunderbani in progress : Sakeena Itoo
Says Rs 424 lakh earmarked for three vital projects in Sunderbani
Minister for Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo, today said that the ongoing works on the vital projects like construction of 50 bedded additional Block and setting up of Dialysis Unit at SDH Sunderbani are being regularly monitored to ensure their completion within prescribed timelines.
The Minister stated this while replying to a question of Legislator Randhir Singh in the House. The Minister informed the House that an amount of Rs. 424 lakh has been earmarked for utilization against three projects like construction of 50 bedded additional Block at SDH Sunderbani, setting up of Dialysis Unit at SDH Sunderbani and Design, Supply, Installation, Commissioning and Trial-run (DSICT) of Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) of 05 KLD capacity at Government CHC Kalakote Rajouri during the current Financial Year.
She added that Rs. 361.90 lakh have been released by the Finance Department, against which an expenditure of ₹300.00 lakh has been incurred, so far. The Minister stated that the ongoing projects are being closely monitored, with delays reported to executing agencies for swift action, ensuring timely completion and fund utilization.
She also informed that the Tile/Electrical work is in progress on the second floor while Mechanical work at SDH Sunderbani is also being done on war footing. She added that allotment of DSICT of ETP of 05 KLD capacity at Government CHC Kalakote Rajouri is under process.
Govt focuses on faculty, infra augmentation in operational offsite campuses of JU : Sakeena Itoo
Minister for Education, Sakeena Itoo today said that the government is focusing on augmentation of infrastructure and faculty in operational offsite campuses of Jammu University (JU) at Bhaderwah, Kishtwar, Udhampur, Reasi, Ramnagar, Kathua and Poonch.
The Minister said this while replying to a question of Legislator Dr. Sunil Bhardwaj in the Legislative Assembly. The Education Minister said that the Higher Education Department is committed to adopt innovative pedagogical practices and strengthening of culture of research and innovation within the universities, while placing emphasis on strict adherence by the University of Jammu to the approved Academic Calendar.
She added that measures like periodic monitoring of teaching-learning process; promotion of faculty development and student-centric academic activities; phased adoption of Smart Classrooms and effective and timely utilization of e-resources; streamlining of office procedures through digitization of records; prudent financial planning in conformity with prescribed financial norms along with time-bound maintenance and up-gradation of classrooms, laboratories, libraries and other facilities are being implemented for the benefit of students.
The Minister further said that the University of Jammu presently has eleven off-site campuses approved by the University Council, of which, currently seven campuses are operational at Bhaderwah, Kishtwar, Udhampur, Reasi, Ramnagar, Kathua, and Poonch.
She informed that for the Financial Year 2025-2026, the Higher Education Department has allocated consolidated Grant-in-Aid amounting Rs. 260 crore to the University of Jammu for meeting its duly approved expenditure requirements.
She added that the Grant-in-Aid is released in lump sum and is not earmarked campus-wise or academic programmes-wise at the level of Higher Education Department. She said that the internal apportionment and utilization of funds, including allocation towards academic programmes at functional off-site campuses, is undertaken by the University of Jammu.
The Education Minister further said that measures are being undertaken in coordination with the University of Jammu to strengthen and consolidate the academic, administrative and infrastructural functioning of the functional off-site campuses including Ramnagar Campus.
The objective behind the initiatives is to ensure a balanced academic growth, optimal utilization of resources and equitable expansion of higher education infrastructure across Jammu & Kashmir. She said that the proposal concerning creation of the posts of Rector/Director and other Teaching Faculty positions in respect of the functional Off-site Campuses is under examination in Higher Education Department.
Legislators, Daleep Singh Parihar, R.S Pathania, Balwant Singh Mankotia and Shakti Raj Parihar raised various supplementary questions, which were satisfactorily replied by the Minister.