SRINAGAR, MAY 11: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Monday chaired a comprehensive review meeting of the National Health Mission (NHM) and allied healthcare programmes in Jammu and Kashmir, directing officials to strengthen healthcare delivery systems and improve quality standards across the Union Territory.
The meeting reviewed achievements, challenges, and the future roadmap of the Health and Medical Education Department and was attended by senior officials including Commissioner Secretary Health & Medical Education, Managing Director NHM, Director SKIMS, Principals of Government Medical Colleges, and Directors of Health Services Jammu and Kashmir.
During the meeting, the Chief Secretary directed premier healthcare institutions in Jammu and Srinagar to immediately initiate the process for securing NABH accreditation. He instructed every Government Medical College to designate nodal officers for ensuring institutional preparedness and said that district hospitals and other medical institutions should subsequently follow the same model to improve patient care and service standards.
Emphasising equitable healthcare access, Dulloo directed the department to ensure posting of at least one Medical Officer in every Primary Health Centre and stressed that no healthcare institution in Jammu and Kashmir should remain without a doctor.
He also directed officials to expedite the tendering process for Tele-ICU, Tele-Radiology, and BEMMP facilities to strengthen tertiary healthcare and provide advanced medical services closer to patients’ homes.
Reviewing quality assurance measures, the Chief Secretary called for certification of all health institutions under the National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) framework within the current year, stating that quality certification is essential for improving public trust in government healthcare services.
The meeting also reviewed screening efforts for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), with the Chief Secretary stressing intensified screening for people above 40 years of age. He described NCDs as “silent killers” and highlighted the importance of preventive healthcare and lifestyle changes.
Commissioner Secretary Health & Medical Education M. Raju informed the meeting that Jammu and Kashmir has shown significant improvement in key healthcare indicators and has achieved several National Health Policy and Sustainable Development Goal targets ahead of schedule.
Mission Director NHM Akriti Sagar highlighted improvements in NICU and SNCU performance, institutional deliveries, dialysis services, Tele-MANAS mental health support, and TB Mukt Bharat initiatives.
Officials informed that over 42 lakh people have been screened for hypertension and diabetes during the current financial year, while more than 409 healthcare facilities in the UT have achieved NQAS certification till April 2026 compared to only 12 facilities till March 2024.
The meeting also reviewed progress under telemedicine services, e-Sanjeevani, emergency ambulance networks, Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, PM National Dialysis Programme, and emergency healthcare infrastructure projects across Jammu and Kashmir.
