Jammu, Dec 18: In a major push towards strengthening and expanding healthcare delivery across Jammu and Kashmir, a comprehensive roadmap for health sector reforms was on Thursday discussed by the Health & Medical Education Department with Dr V.K. Paul, Member, NITI Aayog, in the presence of Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo. The discussion focused on a comprehensive roadmap to strengthen healthcare delivery across the Union Territory, emphasising strategic reforms, technological integration, academic collaboration, and capacity building to ensure equitable, accessible, and high-quality healthcare services across all districts. The meeting was attended by senior officials, including the Secretary of Health & Medical Education, MD of the National Health Mission, Directors of SKIMS and government medical colleges, and other key officers. Dr V.K. Paul assured full support from NITI Aayog for the UT’s healthcare initiatives, emphasising the importance of structured implementation through a hub-and-spoke model, where institutions have defined roles to ensure timely progress. He urged the department to adopt a flexible, collaborative approach, encouraging institutions to share support and best practices nationally. Dr Paul also recommended exploring advanced healthcare facilities such as Eye Banks, strengthening Forensic Medicine, and upgrading Emergency and Trauma Care services. He assured NITI Aayog’s facilitation in connecting Jammu and Kashmir with top national institutions and providing expert guidance to achieve the UT’s healthcare goals. Chief Secretary Dulloo sought NITI Aayog’s advice on retaining senior medical faculty, attracting talent from outside the region, and extending specialised healthcare services to remote, mountainous, and border areas. He acknowledged the significant progress made recently, such as increasing postgraduate and MBBS seats in medical colleges, under NITI Aayog’s guidance. The Health & Medical Education Secretary, Dr Syed Abid Rashid Shah, presented an overview of recent initiatives, including expanding tertiary healthcare services, increasing medical seats, and developing a robust governance framework with clear responsibilities and monitoring systems. The Executive Director of SMVDIME, Dr Yashpal Sharma, outlined proposed healthcare interventions supported by NITI Aayog. Key discussions included strengthening critical care through Tele-ICU services under the hub-and-spoke model, with the tender already floated and vetted by NITI Aayog. Plans are also underway to implement Tele-Radiology services, especially in underserved regions. The department is exploring establishing a Dentistry Department, along with Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery and Pedodontics departments, in new medical colleges. A high-level committee was formed to foster collaboration among AIIMS Jammu, SKIMS Soura, GMC Jammu, GMC Srinagar, and the new GMCs. The focus areas include cardiology, cancer care, mental health, telemedicine, and academic capacity enhancement in UG, PG, and DNB training. The department also seeks NITI Aayog’s support in working with the National Medical Commission to designate district hospitals as associated hospitals of medical colleges, aiming to improve clinical exposure and decentralise healthcare. Additionally, efforts are underway to strengthen drug de-addiction, mental health, and social health services, with a draft “Circle of Care” action plan submitted for consideration. In a significant development, ILBS has agreed to provide training and technical support for establishing liver transplant facilities in Jammu and Kashmir. The department has formally requested assistance from NITI Aayog to set up such facilities. The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of NITI Aayog’s ongoing support in transforming Jammu and Kashmir’s healthcare landscape through technological innovation, academic collaborations, and systemic capacity building, ensuring accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare for all citizens across the UT.