Jammu, Kashmir to set up medical facilities similar to AIIMS

Amid protests and shutdown to demand setting up of an AIIMS in Jammu, state health minister Chowdhary Lal Singh said AIIMS will be set up at both Jammu and Kashmir and will be provided with same facilities. “There will be similar AIIMS for both Jammu as well as Kashmir with equal provisions of infrastructure, funds, faculty, paramedical staff and facilities. The process for establishing AIIMS in Jammu and Srinagar will commence simultaneously with equal provision of funds i.e. to the tune of Rs 1,500 crore each,” he said while addressing a public grievances redressal camp held at Kathua.

He said the decision taken by Centre in consultation with state government is quite clear and was taken keeping in mind the aspirations and necessities of both the regions. The process for identifying land for both the premier health institutions will be taken up soon, he said. Addressing the gathering, Singh said provision for better healthcare, education and road connectivity were the priority sectors of the government.

“The state government is fully aware of the genuine problems of the people and is committed to provide improved basic amenities to them like road connectivity, healthcare, safe drinking water, uninterrupted power supply and better education,” he said. Jammu witnessed a shutdown for the third consecutive day as part of agitation being carried out by an amalgam of over 70 organisations to press for setting up an AIIMS in this region of the state. AIIMS Coordination Committee, the group spearheading the agitation, decided to extend the shutdown for another 72 hours.

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