SRINAGAR: ECHO India, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to capacity-building in healthcare, education, and livelihoods, has partnered with the Jammu and Kashmir Medical Council (JKMC), a statutory body focused on fostering a skilled and ethical medical community in Jammu and Kashmir.
This collaboration aims to enhance capacity-building and Continuing Medical Education (CME) for medical professionals in the region, promoting equitable and accessible healthcare.
Through ECHO India’s innovative case-based learning model, local healthcare providers will receive expert mentorship, creating a dynamic knowledge-sharing network. The partnership was formalised with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by Prof S Muhammad Salim Khan, President of JKMC, alongside ECHO India representatives, including Dr Sandeep Bhalla, Vice President, Projects, Ms Paromita Das, General Manager, Projects, and Dr Mariya Beigh. Several JKMC members, including Prof Sandeep Dogra, Registrar, Prof Vishal Tandon, Prof Mehnaaz Sultan, Prof Asifa Nazir, and Dr Jyoti Jolly, were also present.
Prof S Muhammad Salim Khan described the partnership as a pivotal step in addressing healthcare access and knowledge disparities in the region. He emphasised the role of accredited CME programmes in equipping healthcare providers with the latest medical knowledge and strengthening their capacity to serve effectively. The JK Medical Council plans to issue registration certificates from January 2025, valid for five years, with a requirement for 30 CME credit hours for renewal.
Dr Sandeep Bhalla highlighted the collaboration as a reaffirmation of ECHO India’s commitment to strengthening Jammu and Kashmir’s healthcare ecosystem. He expressed confidence that the initiative would ensure equitable access to quality healthcare across the Union Territory.
ECHO India has been actively engaging with state departments and medical institutions in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Its initiatives focus on critical healthcare areas, including Tribal Health, Tuberculosis, Oncology, Comprehensive Primary Health Care, and Geriatric Healthcare. This partnership represents a significant milestone in advancing sustainable, inclusive, and high-quality healthcare in the region.
