Handwara, August 14: Minister of Health and Medical Education, Sekena Itu, today visited Natnosa, Handwara and conducted a comprehensive inspection of the venue identified for the construction of Government Medical College (GMC) Handwara.
Advisor to the Chief Minister, Nasir Aslam Wani; MLA Trehgam, mir saifullah; MLA Karna Jawid Ahmed Mirchl; MLA Langate, Sheikh Khurshied; Secretary Health and Medical Education, Dr. Syed Abid Rashid Shah; Addc Kupwara, Chief Engineer, KPDCL, Chief Engineer Jal Shakti, Chief Engineer R&B, Principal GMC Handwara, ADC Handwara, Medical Superintendent District Hospital and other district and regional officials were with the minister during the visit.
During the journey, the minister inspected an on-gold to evaluate the site access, topography and suitability for a large-scale medical infrastructure.
Talking to various officials on the occasion, the minister said that the establishment of GMC in Handwara will be a transformational development in terms of the healthcare scenario of the region. “A government medical college here will not only provide advanced health services services to our people, but will also create new avenues for medical education and employment. Our aim is to ensure that the selected location is ideal in terms of patient access, medical logistics and future expansion,” she said.
The minister interacted with local residents, during the journey, to gather his ideas and to ensure that the project align with the needs of the local community.
The officials present on the occasion informed the minister about preliminary surveys and other statutory requirements required for the project.
Later, the minister held a meeting at Duck Bungalow Kupwara to finalize the needs of GMC Hanwara at the newly identified site in Natnosa.
Advisor to Chief Minister, Nasir Aslam Wani; MLA Trehgam, mir saifullah; MLA Karnah Javid Ahmad Mirchal; MLA Kupwara, Mir Mohammad Fayaz; MLA lolab, qaysir jamsheed lone; MLA Langate, Sheikh Khursheed; Secretary Health and Medical Education, Dr. Syed abid rasheed shah; Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, Shrikant Balasaheb Suse; Chief Engineer, KPDCL, Chief Engineer Jal Shakti, Chief Engineer R&B, Principal GMC handwara and other district officers were also presented in the meeting.
Speaking during the meeting, the minister underlined that GMC Handwara is a prestigious project and all stakeholders need to work together for timely construction. He directed the officials of the concerned departments to accelerate the technical assessment report and submit a comprehensive project report in the weeks time. He also asked the Chief Engineers of Water Power and KPDCL to make necessary arrangements about electricity and water supply for this prestigious project.
The minister also said that the current site of GMC Handwara elected by the previous administration was not possible as it was flood prone. He said that investigation has been started about the selection of the earlier site for the construction of this project, due to which the government exchequer has suffered significant damage.
During the meeting, the minister also said that in the earlier meeting with the MLA from Kupwara district about the change of the site for GMC accident, it was decided that Natnosa would be possible for the construction of the project and the necessary formalities were made accordingly. He asked the MLAs of Kupwara district to work in coordination so that this prestigious project could be taken to its logical end, so that the people of this marginal district can benefit.
The minister further stated that the new site in Natanosa is central for Kupwara district and will be accessible to people from all marginal areas such as Karna, Lolb, Keran and other areas of the district.