SRINAGAR: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare, and Education, Sakeena Itoo on Friday conducted an extensive review of the education and health sectors in Budgam constituency during a meeting at the Civil Secretariat. The meeting was attended by MLA Budgam, Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi, along with senior officials from the School Education, Higher Education, and Social Welfare departments, including Directors and Additional Secretaries, as well as medical officers and other concerned officers.
During the session, the Minister evaluated the progress of various ongoing schemes and infrastructural development projects across Budgam. She emphasized the importance of maintaining close coordination among departments to ensure timely completion of projects without compromising on quality standards. In particular, she directed officials to expedite work on the Government Degree College in Soibugh, urging that the project be finished promptly for public use.
The Minister also reviewed other developmental issues raised by public representatives, instructing concerned officers to prioritize and resolve these issues swiftly. She stressed the need to address bottlenecks to make the satellite campus of Maulana Azad National Urdu University at its permanent location functional at the earliest.
Focusing on healthcare, Itoo sought detailed updates regarding the functioning of health institutions, availability of medical staff, medicines, diagnostic facilities, and patient care services. She directed authorities to fill gaps on priority and ensure healthcare facilities are fully equipped to serve the public effectively. She also instructed the health department to rationalize staff distribution, especially to rural and peripheral areas, and to ensure diagnostic facilities like MRI, CT scans, and USG are operational 24/7 at hospitals and government medical colleges where available. A report on the utilization of these facilities outside routine hours over the past month was also demanded.
Reiterating the government’s commitment to strengthening public services, Itoo emphasized that education and healthcare remain top priorities. She called for continuous efforts to improve facilities at the grassroots level, ensuring accessible quality education and healthcare for both urban and rural populations. The Minister underscored the importance of strengthening primary healthcare facilities and ensuring smooth functioning of health centers, especially in remote areas.
In the education sector, she reviewed progress on school infrastructure, staffing, and educational initiatives, emphasizing the need for speedy completion of ongoing projects to prevent student inconvenience. She highlighted that modern educational infrastructure is vital for enhancing learning outcomes and providing equitable opportunities.
The Minister concluded by urging officials to monitor development works regularly, ensure transparency, and complete projects on time to meet public expectations and accelerate overall regional development.