Inaugurates maternity block at SMGS Hospital
STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday addressed a World Cancer Day event at Government Medical College (GMC), Jammu, reaffirming the Government’s proactive role in ensuring the best possible facilities for cancer patients as well as healthcare professionals.
The programme was organised by GMC Jammu under the theme ‘J&K Fights Cancer’ to mark World Cancer Day.
The event was attended by Minister for Health & Medical Education Sakina Itoo, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, MLA Jammu West Arvind Gupta, MLA Uri Dr. Sajjad Shafi, Secretary Health & Medical Education Department Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed, Principal GMC Jammu Dr. Ashutosh Gupta, renowned oncologist Dr. Sameer Kaul, senior professors, doctors, faculty members and students.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister expressed hope for a future when the world would truly be able to celebrate World Cancer Day as the day cancer is eradicated. “Till then, we have to manage this disease as best as possible,” he said.
Sharing personal experiences, CM Omar Abdullah spoke with deep empathy about the emotional and psychological toll cancer takes on patients and their families. He recalled moments of waiting anxiously for scan results, witnessing loved ones undergoing chemotherapy and radiation, and the pain of losing family members to the disease.
“This disease terrifies people, it terrifies the patient, it terrifies their family, not only because of the prognosis and treatment, but also because of the financial implications,” he remarked.
Highlighting the critical role of the Government in combating cancer, the Chief Minister outlined three major responsibilities.
He stressed the importance of supporting research and development, ensuring quality medical education and facilitating doctors and oncologists in advancing cancer care. He expressed hope that future generations may one day speak of cancer as a disease of the past.
The Chief Minister also underlined the need for robust screening infrastructure, noting that cancer often becomes fatal due to late detection. “Early screening is essential so that this terrible disease can be detected at the earliest stage,” he said.
Emphasising the Government’s commitment to building strong treatment facilities within Jammu and Kashmir, CM Omar Abdullah said efforts are being made to ensure that fewer patients need to travel outside the region for advanced cancer treatment.
“Our responsibility is to ensure that the least number of patients possible need to travel outside J&K to avail the best possible healthcare facilities,” he stated.
The Chief Minister further stressed the need for a strong financial safety net for economically weaker cancer patients, as the burden of treatment is far heavier on the poor.
Assuring that the Government would act on all suggestions emerging from such events and workshops, he said, “Please rest assured that my Government will not ignore a single one of them. We are committed to ensuring the best possible facilities in our hospitals and the best possible safety net for our patients.”
The Chief Minister concluded by expressing admiration for doctors and medical students for choosing the medical profession, acknowledging the sacrifices made by them and their families.
“We will do our best to ensure that you have the right environment and the right facilities within which to practise your chosen profession,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister also inaugurated the new maternity block at Shri Maharaja Gulab Singh (SMGS) Hospital here.
Minister for Health & Medical Education Sakina Itoo, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, MLA Jammu East Yudhvir Sethi, Secretary Health & Medical Education Syed Abid Rasheed, Managing Director J&K Medical Supplies Corporation Limited Tariq Hussain Ganai, Principal Government Medical College Jammu Dr Ashutosh Gupta, Administrator (Associated Hospitals), Jammu, R.K. Katoch, Medical Superintendent, SMGS Hospital, Dr. Dara Singh, Head of Department, Pediatrics, Dr. Sanjiv Digra, Head of Department, Gynaecology, Dr. Robina Mirza, other senior officers of Health & Medical Education Department and officers of PWD, Mechanical Division & Electric Division.
The maternity block has been constructed at a project cost of ?31.59 crore, with the Public Works (R&B) Department as the executing agency.
The multi-storey maternity block has been equipped with enhanced maternal and neonatal care facilities, including 50 beds on the ground floor with critical care and delivery services, a 24-bed OT complex on the first floor, and 84 beds each on the second and third floors.
The Chief Minister also inspected various units and wards of the new block and interacted with hospital staff to review the facilities available for patients.
The block, constructed with modern facilities including labour rooms, five Operation theatres (OTs), One Emergency Operation Theatre, NICU wards, recovery areas and other support services has been built to address the heavy patient load and improve delivery and newborn care capacity at the hospital.
The newly inaugurated maternity block, equipped with modern infrastructure and advanced medical facilities, is a major step towards strengthening maternal and child healthcare services in the Jammu region. The facility is expected to significantly reduce patient load and enhance the quality of care for mothers and newborns.
Medical Superintendents from Associated Hospitals, Doctors of other Departments, paramedical staff, and other officials were also present during the event.