Srinagar, Sep 2: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday handed over appointment orders to newly appointed Medical Officers of the J&K Department of Health & Medical Education, urging them to see their induction into government service not merely as a career milestone but as a solemn commitment to the people.
At a ceremony held at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC), the Chief Minister personally presented appointment orders to the newly recruited doctors posted across Jammu and Kashmir and congratulated them on beginning a new chapter of public service.
Omar said their appointments were the result of years of hard work, perseverance, training and sacrifice by both the doctors and their families.
“Today, a new chapter of your lives is about to begin. What you will write in this chapter and what you will leave for others to read is up to you,” he said.
Emphasising the unique responsibility of doctors, the Chief Minister said patients often approach them at the most vulnerable moments of their lives, sometimes seeing them as their last hope.
He urged the newly appointed Medical Officers to serve with compassion, dedication and professionalism, particularly in remote and underserved areas where quality healthcare remains difficult to access.
Omar stressed that strengthening healthcare at the grassroots level was essential to reducing unnecessary referrals to Srinagar and Jammu. Routine procedures, including normal deliveries and surgeries for conditions such as appendicitis and gallbladder ailments, should ideally be available at sub-district and district hospitals, he said.
“People should not have to travel from sub-district and district hospitals to the major cities for routine medical procedures and treatment,” he said.
The Chief Minister acknowledged that doctors posted in remote areas would expect better infrastructure, connectivity and working conditions, assuring them that the Government would continue improving healthcare facilities and service conditions.
“We will improve your service conditions so that you can carry out your work without fear. We will also improve your infrastructure,” he said.
Calling health and education the twin foundations of J&K’s future, Omar said the Government was giving special attention to both sectors because progress in other areas could not reach its full potential without a healthy and educated population.
He also highlighted the Government’s efforts to make medical education more affordable and expand the capacity of medical colleges, saying increased intake would create a larger pool of trained doctors for public service.
“We happily accept this expense because we want more doctors to be made,” he said.
Urging the new Medical Officers to make their long careers meaningful, Omar called upon them to serve with integrity and ensure that their work makes their families and the people of Jammu and Kashmir proud.
“You have entered the Government of Jammu and Kashmir. Please do your work with that spirit,” he said.
Minister for Health & Medical Education Sakina Itoo, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Commissioner Secretary Health & Medical Education M. Raju, Mission Director NHM J&K Akriti Sagar, faculty members, newly appointed Medical Officers and their parents attended the ceremony.