Jammu, November 3: Jammu and Kashmir Health and Medical Education Minister Sakeena Itoo has directed officials to procure around 100 new ambulances to strengthen emergency healthcare services across the Union Territory. The proposed addition will include a significant number of four-wheel-drive (4x4) ambulances to improve medical access in hilly, remote and difficult-to-reach areas.
The direction came during a comprehensive review meeting of the health sector held in Jammu on Monday. The minister assessed the functioning of government healthcare institutions, availability of medical facilities, staff shortages, infrastructure development and patient-care services across Jammu and Kashmir.
Emphasising the importance of emergency medical transportation, Itoo said ambulance facilities, referral mechanisms and critical-care infrastructure must be strengthened to ensure timely medical assistance, particularly for patients requiring specialised treatment.
Focus on remote and hilly regions
The proposed 100 ambulances will include 4x4 vehicles designed to operate in difficult geographical conditions. The initiative aims to improve emergency response and ensure that patients in mountainous and underserved areas can reach healthcare facilities without unnecessary delays.
The minister also directed officials to immediately post recently recruited medical officers to address staff shortages in government hospitals and healthcare centres.
She stressed that doctors, specialists, nurses and paramedical staff should be deployed according to patient loads and institutional requirements, with particular attention to areas facing manpower shortages.
Food safety and drug testing measures
During the meeting, Itoo also called for strengthening food safety monitoring and drug-testing facilities across Jammu and Kashmir. She directed officials to procure additional mobile testing vans to expand inspection and testing capabilities.
She further emphasised timely availability of essential medicines, life-saving drugs, surgical equipment and medical consumables in government healthcare institutions.
Reviewing ongoing infrastructure projects, the minister instructed officials to ensure timely completion of construction work, proper maintenance of existing facilities and early operationalisation of completed projects.
She also called for improved diagnostic services, primary and secondary healthcare facilities, immunisation programmes and maternal and child healthcare services.
Senior health department officials, including Commissioner Secretary Saugat Biswas, representatives of the National Health Mission and principals of government medical colleges, attended the review meeting.
Reiterating the government's commitment to accessible and affordable healthcare, Itoo called for time-bound implementation of the decisions taken during the meeting.
The proposed ambulance expansion is expected to strengthen emergency medical transportation, particularly in geographically challenging areas of Jammu and Kashmir.
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