Srinagar, Nov 5: Jammu and Kashmir Health Minister Sakina Itoo on Thursday said AIIMS Awantipora in south Kashmir is expected to offer 100 MBBS seats soon, marking a significant step towards strengthening medical education and healthcare services in the Union Territory.

Itoo made the announcement after accompanying Union Health Minister J P Nadda during his visit to the institute in Pulwama district, where he reviewed its progress.
Itoo said Health Minister had indicated that 100 MBBS seats would be made available soon, expressing hope that the institution would become fully functional at the earliest.
She said the operationalisation of AIIMS Awantipora would improve access to specialised healthcare and advanced medical facilities, particularly for patients from south Kashmir.
"The Union Health Minister has stressed that the institute should become functional as soon as possible. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has visited the institute several times over the past two years, and I have also reviewed its progress to ensure its early operationalisation," she said.
The minister said the institute would play an important role in improving patient care and reducing the need for people to travel outside Jammu and Kashmir for specialised treatment.