Sakeena Itoo Orders Major Sanitation Overhaul in J&K Hospitals; Announces Rewards for Cleanliness and Strict Accountability
Jammu January 01, 2026 :- Minister for Health, Medical Education, Social Welfare, and Education, Sakeena Itoo, has launched a comprehensive mission to revamp sanitation and hygiene standards across all Government Medical Colleges (GMCs), District Hospitals, and Sub-District Hospitals in Jammu and Kashmir.
Chairing a high-level review meeting for the Jammu division, the Minister declared a “zero-tolerance” policy toward unhygienic conditions, describing unclean medical facilities as a “moral and ethical betrayal” of public trust. Drawing on spiritual values, she remarked that cleanliness is “half of faith” and must be treated as a sacred duty in places where “pain, prayer, and hope converge.”
To ensure sustained results, the Minister directed the formation of a Central Audit Committee to conduct fortnightly inspections, alongside daily internal checks by hospital-level committees.A key highlight of the new directive is the focus on staff motivation and accountability.
Minister Itoo instructed hospital administrators to institute cash rewards and certificates of appreciation for doctors, nurses, and sanitation workers who excel in maintaining hygiene. Emphasizing the dignity of labor, she stated that a hospital that disrespects its sanitation workers can never be truly clean, calling for the rationalization of staff rosters, timely payment of wages, and the provision of fresh uniforms every six months.
Conversely, the Minister warned of firm action against staff laxity and visitors who violate cleanliness norms. She further imposed a strict ban on outside food and polythene bags within hospital premises to maintain a sterile environment.Beyond general cleaning, the Minister’s directive includes an immediate upgrade of patient-handling infrastructure.
Administrators have been ordered to replace defective wheelchairs, trolleys, and unhygienic bedding on a continuous basis. While acknowledging the advancements made under the Omar Abdullah-led government—such as PET scans and renal transplant programs at GMC Jammu—the Minister asserted that medical expertise cannot compensate for a loss of patient dignity caused by dirty wards.
By strengthening housekeeping services and waste management systems, the administration aims to ensure that every public health facility in J&K reflects an environment of safety, compassion, and professionalism.