Jammu, February 21 In a significant development and a major boost to specialized medical education in Jammu and Kashmir, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has approved 24 new postgraduate (PG) seats in specialized fields at Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) in Jammu and Srinagar, and SKIMS Soura, an official spokesperson said.
The seats have been approved in fields such as cardiology, urology, pulmonary medicine, medical gastroenterology, pediatric surgery, neuro-anesthesia, pediatric and neonatal anesthesia, and clinical immunology and rheumatology, the spokesperson said.
Welcoming the development as a "major milestone," Minister for Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo, said this transformative step underscores the government's commitment to expanding specialized healthcare infrastructure and medical education opportunities within Jammu and Kashmir.
"This achievement reflects the Omar Abdullah-led government's sustained efforts to improve healthcare standards and ensure that advanced and specialized medical services are available within Jammu and Kashmir. The addition of specialized PG seats will not only empower our young doctors with opportunities for advanced training locally but will also significantly benefit patients by improving access to specialized care," she said.
She emphasized that the expansion of specialized seats aligns with the broader vision of strengthening the healthcare ecosystem, reducing patient referrals outside J-K, and ensuring timely, high-quality treatment closer to home.
The minister acknowledged the continuous efforts of the faculty, medical college administrations, and the department, adding that their dedication and compliance with NMC standards made this approval possible.
Itoo reiterated that the government will continue to prioritize investments in medical education, infrastructure, and human resource development to ensure that the people of Jammu and Kashmir have access to world-class healthcare facilities.
"This development marks another milestone in the government's ongoing healthcare reforms and reinforces our commitment to transforming Jammu and Kashmir into a center of excellence in medical education and specialized healthcare," the minister said.