Secretary Health reviews operationalisation of Nursing Colleges in J&K

DOGRA HERALD BUREAU
JAMMU, Dec 18
Secretary, Health & Medical Education, Bhupinder Kumar, today reviewed the operationalisation of Nursing Colleges in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
Dr. Yashpal Sharma, Director (Coordination) New Medical Colleges, Nursing Colleges and Paramedical Colleges, gave a detailed presentation on current status of Nursing Colleges, fund utilization, and operational challenges. He highlighted that 21 ANM/GNM schools were sanctioned in Phase-I and Phase-II of the centrally sponsored scheme by the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. Out of these, 17 are fully operational, and the remaining 04 will be made operational soon. In Phase-III, the Union government sanctioned up gradation of 10 ANM/GNM schools into Nursing Colleges, each receiving a financial approval of Rs. 6 crore. Additionally, five Nursing Colleges were sanctioned under PMDP at Anantnag, Baramulla, Sopore, Gangyal, and Kishtwar. In 2023, another Nursing College has been sanctioned for Handwara by Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, under the co-location scheme. Secretary instructed the Principals Medical/ Nursing Colleges to ensure timely fund utilization for infrastructure development, procurement of machinery/equipment, books and related stuff for starting various courses. He also asked for seamless shifting of establishment of upgraded GNM schools to the corresponding Nursing Colleges. He directed the Principals of Medical Colleges to expedite the process of hiring under S.O. 364 for the nursing Colleges. Secretary asked the Principal Medical Colleges to submit proposals for creation of additional posts in accordance with INC norms and it was decided that the Department would explore the possibility of reorganizing the Nursing Services in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir for bringing uniformity in the system, besides improvement of services.
Among others, the meeting was attended by all the Principals of Government Medical Colleges, Director Finance, Additional Secretary Health and Medical education, Joint Director Planning, Director Health Services Jammu and Kashmir, Principal Government Nursing colleges, Registrar J&K Paramedical Council and other officers from Health and Medical Education department.