Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Itoo participated in the 16th Conference of the Central Council of Health and Family Welfare (CCHFW) at Vigyan Bhawan here today.
The conference was chaired by Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Jagat Prakash Nadda and was attended by Union Ministers for State for Health and Family Welfare, Health Ministers of all States and UTs, other senior officers of Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and members of CCHFW.
The Conference served as a significant platform to brainstorm on key national health programmes, deliberate on emerging public health priorities and strengthen Centre-State collaborations for improving healthcare delivery across the country.
During the conference, Minister Sakeena Itoo presented a detailed outline on flagship health programmes being implemented across Jammu and Kashmir, besides future roadmap for achieving universal access to affordable, equitable and quality healthcare in J&K.
Sakeena Itoo also raised various emerging issues related to health care sector in the conference and highlighted the need for early establishment of Trauma Hospitals in Surankote (Poonch) and Uri (Baramulla), to cater to health emergencies during war or natural calamities for saving the lives of soldiers and civilians during these times.
She also demanded Bullet Proof ambulances in these areas to cater the medical emergencies during war or other related events. The J&K Health Minister also called for enhancement of honorarium of NHM employees and Asha Workers, highlighting that they are the backbone of present healthcare system and no enhancement has been made in last ten years.
During the conference, Sakeena Itoo also demanded timely completion of AIIMS Awantipora, highlighting that this national project will revolutionize the healthcare system in Kashmir valley. On this, the Union Minister assured for early completion of the project, adding that Rs. 250 crores have been recently released for the project.
The J&K Minister also demanded for increasing the PG/MD seats in health institutions of J&K as it will improve the health care needs across J&K. The Union Minister asked the J&K Health Minister to submit the proposal for same and the Union Ministry will take necessary action on same.
The Union Minister also assured the J&K Health Minister to submit necessary requirements for the upgradation of existing trauma hospitals and the same will be addressed on priority.