Advocate Purnima raises concerns over insufficient healthcare infrastructure at GMC Jammu
Dire need to establish a fully-equipped tertiary hospital in Jammu in light of upcoming 50 years planning and population explosion
JAMMU, March 17: Advocate Purnima Sharma, Spokesperson J&K BJP and former Deputy Mayor, highlighted pressing concerns regarding the inadequate healthcare infrastructure at Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu. She emphasized that GMC Jammu is currently overburdened, catering to the medical needs of residents from ten districts, underscoring the urgent need for infrastructural enhancements.
Dr. Pardeep Mahotra, Media Incharge, J&K BJP and Arti Koul, Office Incharge, BJP Mahila Morcha were also present in the Press Conference held at party headquarter, Trikuta Nagar, Jammu.
Purnima Sharma pointed out that the existing infrastructure at GMC Jammu is insufficient to meet the growing healthcare demands of the region. She noted that the hospital presently operates with only one CT scan machine and lacks a dedicated trauma center. Consequently, patients requiring CT scans face waiting periods extending up to two months, leading to delayed diagnoses and treatments.
Purnima Sharma also expressed grave concerns regarding the deplorable conditions of Shri Maharaja Gulab Singh (SMGS) Hospital in Jammu. She highlighted that the hospital’s infrastructure is severely inadequate, leading to overcrowding where pregnant women, even infants, have been forced to share a single bed, even in critical areas like the emergency ward. This overcrowding not only compromises the quality of care but also poses significant health risks to women as well as vulnerable children.
Purnima Sharma asked the Omar Govt to address these pressing issues to enhance the hospital’s capacity and resources to ensure the well-being of pediatric patients.
The senior BJP leader asked the NC Government to prioritize the establishment of a new, fully-equipped tertiary government hospital in Jammu on nearly 200 kanals of land, aiming to fulfill the medical needs of the Jammu region. In light of upcoming population growth, this hospital should be located away from city congestion, ensuring better accessibility and convenience for residents.
Furthermore, Purnima stressed that all medical facilities, should be placed under one roof, catering to the growing healthcare needs of the region. The Bone & Joint Hospital in Jammu currently only offers OPD services, and surgeries are still being performed at GMC Jammu. While the government has initiated a cancer hospital, she requested for an associated dedicated cardiac research institute toward comprehensive healthcare development.
She also questioned the NC leadership regarding the status of the State Health Policy, which was prominently featured in their election manifesto. She highlighted several unfulfilled promises made by the NC, including formulation of a comprehensive State Health Policy, creation of a Medical Trust providing free insurance coverage of Rs 5,00,000 per annum for terminal diseases such as cancer, heart ailments, and kidney transplants; establishment of a state-of-the-art cancer hospital; setting up Village and Mohalla Clinics to offer basic healthcare and emergency services; provision of dialysis facilities in all Sub-District Hospitals (SDHs) across Jammu and Kashmir; and offering diagnostic and imaging services in all District Hospitals.
Expressing disappointment over the lack of progress, Purnima remarked, “Despite the passage of five months, the NC Government has failed to take even a single step towards fulfilling these promises.”
Reflecting on the achievements of the previous BJP-led administration, she noted the initiation of ward-wise health centers in Jammu. She recommended that the NC Government upgrade these centers into fully functional Mohalla Clinics equipped with basic healthcare services, thereby reducing the patient load on GMC Jammu for primary health needs.
The senior BJP leader asked the NC Government to prioritize the establishment of trauma centers at the district level to effectively manage emergencies and reduce preventable deaths resulting from delayed medical attention.
Purnima called on the NC Government to focus on fulfilling its commitments. She asserted, “Healthcare is a basic necessity, and the NC Government must act swiftly to address the gaps in the system.”
