Sakeena Itoo conducts surprise inspection of GMC Jammu
Minister for Health and Medical Education and Social Welfare, Sakeena Itoo today conducted surprise inspection of Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu to take first-hand assessment of the healthcare facilities, patient care arrangements and overall functioning of the premier healthcare institution.
During the inspection, the Minister visited various sections of the hospital, particularly the Emergency wing, and took stock of the availability of medical facilities, functioning of essential services, patient management arrangements and the overall cleanliness and sanitation measures.
She also interacted with the patients and their attendants, and took first hand appraisal from them about the services being provided at this health facility.
Emphasising on the critical importance of an efficient and responsive Emergency healthcare system, the Minister directed the hospital administration to further strengthen emergency facilities, ensure round-the-clock availability of essential medical services and maintain adequate deployment of doctors, paramedical staff and other supporting personnel.
She stressed that Emergency services constitute the most crucial component of any healthcare institution and must function with utmost efficiency, promptness and sensitivity, particularly in cases requiring immediate medical intervention.
“The first few minutes of a medical emergency can make the difference between life and death. Every patient reaching the hospital in an emergency must receive immediate attention, without any avoidable delay. Our priority should be to save precious lives through timely intervention, coordinated response and efficient utilisation of available resources”, the Minister said.
The Minister also underscored the importance of effectively utilising the Golden Hour in emergency and trauma cases, calling for a coordinated mechanism to ensure prompt assessment, diagnosis and initiation of treatment.
She directed the concerned authorities to streamline emergency response protocols, minimise procedural delays and strengthen coordination among doctors, nursing staff, diagnostic units and other allied departments to ensure that critical patients receive timely and appropriate treatment.
“Golden Hour management should not remain confined to guidelines, it must translate into immediate action on the ground. Every minute is valuable when a patient is critically ill or injured. The hospital administration must ensure that all necessary arrangements are in place so that no precious time is lost in initiating treatment”, she emphasised.
On the sidelines of the visit, the Minister also held a meeting with the Administration of the GMC Jammu.
During the meeting, the Minister called for sustained and visible improvements in cleanliness and sanitation across all hospital areas, including wards, corridors, washrooms, waiting areas and the Emergency section. She stressed that maintaining a hygienic hospital environment is fundamental to patient safety, infection prevention and quality healthcare delivery.