SRINAGAR: Minister for Health and Medical Education Sakina Itoo on Monday said the government is actively working on an incentive-based policy to encourage doctors to serve in rural and far-flung areas of Jammu and Kashmir. The move, she said, aims to strengthen healthcare delivery in underserved regions and ensure equitable access to medical services.
Speaking to reporters during her visit to Uri in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, Sakina Itoo said that the government recognizes the challenges faced by medical professionals working in remote areas and is determined to address them through structured incentives and better facilities.
“Doctors are an integral part of our health system, and they must also serve in rural and difficult terrains. Unfortunately, incentives are often directed toward those working in urban centres, while doctors in remote areas deserve them more. The government is reviewing this imbalance,” she said.
The minister revealed that a new framework is being formulated to provide financial and professional benefits to doctors who opt for postings in far-off locations. “Just as city doctors receive incentives, those serving in villages should get even more. Our priority is to ensure that no rural health centre suffers due to lack of doctors or resources,” she added.
Highlighting the government’s focus on infrastructure development, Sakina Itoo said that several rural hospitals have already been upgraded with modern medical equipment. “People have been demanding advanced facilities, and we have acted upon those requests. Many hospitals have received new machines, and we are committed to equipping every health centre, especially in distant areas,” she said.
Responding to concerns about the alleged shortage of senior doctors at Government Medical College (GMC) Baramulla, the minister refuted the claims, asserting that all senior doctors are present and performing their duties. “We have issued clear instructions to ensure regular attendance and accountability of all medical staff,” she clarified.
Addressing complaints about the QR code-based patient registration system, which has reportedly caused inconvenience to patients without smartphones, Sakina Itoo said that an alternative offline system has been directed to be made available. “No patient should face hardship due to technological barriers. Those without smartphones will be registered manually,” she said.
The minister concluded by reiterating the government’s commitment to ensuring quality healthcare for all, particularly in rural and border regions like Uri. “Our mission is to bridge the urban-rural healthcare gap and ensure that every citizen receives reliable medical attention, regardless of location,” she emphasized.
Meanwhile, the minister also inaugurated newly constructed additional accommodation at Government Higher Secondary School (HSS) Boniyar in Uri, marking a major step towards strengthening educational infrastructure in North Kashmir.
During her visit, the Minister also laid the foundation stone for new classrooms at the same institution, to be built under the centrally sponsored Samagra Shiksha scheme. Addressing students and staff, she said that the government was committed to ensuring access to modern, well-equipped schools for every child in the Union Territory.
“Education is the cornerstone of progress,” the Minister said, adding that the government’s focus was on bridging infrastructure gaps and creating inclusive learning spaces that nurture the potential of every student. She urged teachers and the local community to take ownership of the new assets and contribute towards maintaining and improving school environments.
Later, the Minister visited Government Girls Higher Secondary School (GHSS) Baramulla where she participated in the institution’s Annual Day celebrations. The event was attended by MLAs Javid Hassan Baigh (Baramulla), Irshad Rasool Kar (Sopore), Riyaz Bedar (Pattan), Farooq Ahmad Shah (Gulmarg), and Dr. Sajad Shafi (Uri), along with Director General of School Education Kashmir Dr. G. N. Itoo, district officers, faculty members, and a large number of students.
The Minister, along with the legislators, inspected student stalls set up under the Atal Tinkering Labs initiative. Praising the projects, she said they reflected the creativity and technical abilities of students and demonstrated the government’s efforts to promote innovation at the school level.
“Education today must go beyond textbooks. We want our students to become thinkers, innovators, and leaders of the future,” she said, encouraging students to excel equally in academics, sports, and cultural activities.
As part of the celebrations, meritorious students and achievers in cultural and sports events at both Union Territory and national levels were felicitated. The Annual Day featured vibrant cultural performances showcasing Kashmiri dance, music, and drama, which drew applause from the audience.
On the sidelines of the event, Minister Sakeena e-inaugurated and laid e-foundation stones for several educational infrastructure projects across North Kashmir amounting to Rs. 20.67 crore.
Among the key projects inaugurated were a three-storey building and renovation of a 12-room structure for Girls HSS Sopore, a ten-room double-storey building at HSS Mirgund Pattan, additional classrooms at BHSS Uri, Girls Middle School Kralpora Nehalpora (Gulmarg), and PM Shri Model School Raram (Gulmarg). New buildings were also sanctioned for schools in Trigam, Sumbal, Rakhe Shilvat, Madwan, and Budgam (Gurez).
The Minister also laid the e-foundation stone for the construction of teacher quarters at Government Higher Secondary School Chandiloora in Gulmarg.
Calling education “a shared responsibility,” Sakeena Itoo said the new projects would go a long way in expanding access to quality education, especially in remote and hilly areas. “Every school we strengthen brings us a step closer to an equitable and enlightened society,” she remarked.
