Omar for upgrading medical education sector in JK

Srinagar, Jul 13: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has asked the Task Force on Health Reforms to make concrete recommendations for upgrading health and medical education sector in the state.

"I want concrete deliverables from you so that government could act accordingly to achieve desirable results," Omar said while chairing the 4th meeting of Task Force on health sector reforms here last evening.

The Chief Minister directed for the appointment of Transaction Adviser and identifying three projects each in Jammu and Srinagar to be implemented through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode.

"This would enable us to study the appetite of private players in the field and rope them in as partners," he said.

Omar said private investors could be invited for management and operational aspects in the health and medical education sector.

He called for fast track movement on this issue saying the government is open to provide permission to the private players for establishing hospitals.

"Task Force should also come up with proposals for health insurance for poor and needy, accreditation of hospitals, use of IT and expansion of tele-medicine system.

He asked for a detailed project report for Rs 7.80 crore bio-medical waste disposal plants at Jammu and Srinagar.

"Outsourcing its management and operation could be analysed and discussed accordingly," he added.

Omar directed the officials at Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) to formulate a fresh proposal for establishment of State Resources Centre to train the doctors and para-medical staff on tele-medicine.

"Possibility of dovetailing IT and tele-medicine initiatives should also be explored to get best results," he added.

PTI