JAMMU, NOVEMBER 03: Minister for Health and Medical Education and Social Welfare, Sakeena Itoo today conducted surprise inspection of Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu to take first-hand assessment of the healthcare facilities, patient care arrangements and overall functioning of the premier healthcare institution.
During the inspection, the Minister visited various sections of the hospital, particularly the Emergency wing, and took stock of the availability of medical facilities, functioning of essential services, patient management arrangements and the overall cleanliness and sanitation measures.
She also interacted with the patients and their attendants, and took first hand appraisal from them about the services being provided at this health facility.
Emphasising on the critical importance of an efficient and responsive Emergency healthcare system, the Minister directed the hospital administration to further strengthen emergency facilities, ensure round-the-clock availability of essential medical services and maintain adequate deployment of doctors, paramedical staff and other supporting personnel.
She stressed that Emergency services constitute the most crucial component of any healthcare institution and must function with utmost efficiency, promptness and sensitivity, particularly in cases requiring immediate medical intervention.
“The first few minutes of a medical emergency can make the difference between life and death. Every patient reaching the hospital in an emergency must receive immediate attention, without any avoidable delay. Our priority should be to save precious lives through timely intervention, coordinated response and efficient utilisation of available resources”, the Minister said.
The Minister also underscored the importance of effectively utilising the Golden Hour in emergency and trauma cases, calling for a coordinated mechanism to ensure prompt assessment, diagnosis and initiation of treatment.
She directed the concerned authorities to streamline emergency response protocols, minimise procedural delays and strengthen coordination among doctors, nursing staff, diagnostic units and other allied departments to ensure that critical patients receive timely and appropriate treatment.
“Golden Hour management should not remain confined to guidelines, it must translate into immediate action on the ground. Every minute is valuable when a patient is critically ill or injured. The hospital administration must ensure that all necessary arrangements are in place so that no precious time is lost in initiating treatment”, she emphasised.
On the sidelines of the visit, the Minister also held a meeting with the Administration of the GMC Jammu.
During the meeting, the Minister called for sustained and visible improvements in cleanliness and sanitation across all hospital areas, including wards, corridors, washrooms, waiting areas and the Emergency section. She stressed that maintaining a hygienic hospital environment is fundamental to patient safety, infection prevention and quality healthcare delivery.
Directing the administration to adopt a more vigilant approach towards sanitation, she called for regular monitoring of cleanliness arrangements, proper disposal of biomedical waste and accountability of the agencies and personnel entrusted with sanitation-related responsibilities.
“Cleanliness in a hospital is not merely an administrative requirement but an essential part of patient care. A clean and hygienic environment is vital for preventing infections and ensuring the safety and comfort of patients, attendants and healthcare workers. There should be no compromise on this front,” the Minister maintained.
During her interaction with doctors, medical staff and hospital administrators, Sakeena Itoo stressed that GMC Jammu, being one of the major tertiary healthcare institutions of the region, carries a significant responsibility in providing accessible, affordable and quality healthcare to people.
The Minister also stressed the need for optimal utilisation of available infrastructure, equipment and human resources, ensuring that facilities created for public welfare are put to maximum use for the benefit of patients.
She impressed upon the hospital administration to maintain close supervision of patient care services and take timely corrective measures wherever deficiencies are noticed.
“The people come to government hospitals with immense trust and expectations. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that this trust is upheld through quality treatment, timely services, proper facilities and a compassionate approach. Every patient deserves dignity, attention and the best possible care”, she maintained.
The Minister reiterated that the Government remains committed to strengthening the public healthcare infrastructure across Jammu and Kashmir, with particular emphasis on improving emergency response, patient safety, hospital hygiene and the overall quality of medical services.
