J&K is becoming a hub of innovation and resilience in health sector: LG

J&K HEALTH SECTOR MUST EMBRACE INNOVATION FOR ACCESSIBLE, AFFORDABLE CARE: LG SINHA

30/08/2026

SRINAGAR, Aug 29: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday inaugurated the third edition of the CII Jammu and Kashmir Health Conclave, calling for greater use of technology, innovation and public-private collaboration to make healthcare more accessible, affordable and equitable.
Highlighting the vision of "Health Services Anytime, Anywhere", Sinha said emerging technologies such as telemedicine, artificial intelligence, drone-based delivery of medical supplies and solar-powered cold chains could help overcome geographical and logistical challenges, particularly in remote and high-altitude areas.
"From telemedicine to drone-delivered blood units, AI-powered diagnostics to solar cold chains, the roadmap for the future healthcare is clear that accessible, affordable, equitable healthcare for all should be our prime objective," he said.
Sinha said technology must ultimately serve humanity and ensure that people living in remote areas are able to access timely medical care. Citing the example of ASHA workers using tele-consultation to connect patients in remote villages with district hospitals, he said telemedicine could help eliminate geographical barriers to healthcare.
He urged stakeholders to make Jammu and Kashmir a testing ground for low-cost and high-impact healthcare innovations, including drone-based delivery of medical supplies and solar-powered cold chains for health centres located in high-altitude areas.
The Lieutenant Governor identified rising healthcare expenditure as one of the major challenges confronting health systems and called for greater emphasis on prevention, early intervention and regular screening.
"We need to move beyond a system that treats illness to one that protects and promotes health. We must prioritise regular screening, easy access to primary healthcare services and timely treatment," he said.
Sinha also stressed the need to expand medical and nursing education, strengthen the healthcare workforce and ensure the wellbeing of health workers through better staffing, reduced administrative burden and mental health support.
He highlighted the progress made in healthcare infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir, including the establishment of two new AIIMS institutions, 10 new medical colleges, two State Cancer Institutes, specialised hospitals, 52 nursing colleges, 23 paramedical colleges and five pharmacy colleges.
Describing the expansion of healthcare infrastructure as an important step towards equitable healthcare, Sinha said the next priority should be to develop modern primary health centres in villages and connect them with district-level healthcare networks.
He called for greater use of AI for early disease detection while supporting clinical decision-making, stronger disease surveillance and genomic capabilities, local manufacturing of diagnostic kits and continuous skill development of nursing and paramedical professionals.
Sinha also called for closer collaboration between the government and private sector in strengthening the healthcare ecosystem.
"Private hospitals and industries associated with the health sector must also join this effort, recognising it as an important task of nation-building," he said, adding that strong health systems emerge when government and private institutions combine their capabilities, speed and innovation for public welfare.
The Lieutenant Governor said the success of healthcare initiatives should ultimately be measured by their impact on people's lives.
He envisioned a healthcare system where residents of remote areas such as Kupwara would not have to travel long distances for routine treatment, people in Rajouri would be protected from financial distress caused by healthcare expenses and medical graduates could build their careers within Jammu and Kashmir.
"Advanced treatment and modern health facilities must be accessible to all so that we may establish the principles of social justice and equality," he said.
Sinha also extended his best wishes to Ujala Cygnus for its new initiative, the Peace and Wellbeing Foundation, and described the health conclave as an opportunity for stakeholders to discuss and collectively redefine healthcare delivery.
CII J&K UT Council Chairman Iqram Ali Shafiee, Ujala Cygnus Hospitals Founder Director Dr Shuchin Bajaj, CII J&K Vice Chairman Siddhant Choudhary, Peace and Wellbeing Foundation Board members Dr Pervez Ahmad Sofi and Arafat Ahmad Bhat, members of CII and healthcare professionals attended the inaugural session.
SSP Srinagar Dr GV Sundeep Chakravarthy, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Akshay Labroo and senior officials were also present.

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