Minister Sakeena Itoo reviews health infrastructure projects in Srinagar and Pahalgam

SRINAGAR, JUNE 24 — Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Itoo, chaired a meeting at the Civil Secretariat to review the construction progress of the Super Speciality Hospital OPD complex in Srinagar, the Multi Facility Centre of Government Medical College Srinagar, and the additional 50-bedded hospital building at SDH Pahalgam.

The review was attended by MLA Pahalgam Altaf Ahmad Wani, the Principal of GMC Srinagar, the Director of Health Services Kashmir, and other senior officials. Highlighting accountability in public funding, the Minister directed executing agencies to accelerate their pace to avoid delays that directly impact public welfare.

While assessing the additional 50-bedded facility at Pahalgam, the Minister ordered the immediate finalization of the Detailed Project Report so that remaining works can commence. She noted that Pahalgam is a prominent tourist destination and a vital base camp for the annual Shri Amarnath Yatra, making a well-equipped healthcare facility essential for residents, tourists, and devotees alike.

The Director of Health Services Kashmir reported that the project has an estimated cost of Rs 19.90 crore, with civil works worth Rs 12.40 crore already tendered. The Minister set a strict deadline of March 2027 to make this hospital building fully operational.The Minister also evaluated the Multi Facility Centre of GMC Srinagar, setting a firm deadline of July 2026 for the completion of all civil works.

She instructed officials to coordinate with the Government of India to secure the necessary approvals for installing additional infrastructure at the center.

Emphasizing that delays in the healthcare sector are completely unacceptable, the Minister ordered the Health Department to maintain strict oversight, ensuring all ongoing infrastructure developments adhere to approved medical standards and utilize resources optimally.