Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, June 23

Health and Medical Education Minister Sakeena Itoo on Tuesday directed hospital authorities to strengthen hygiene and sanitation measures at two of Srinagar’s largest healthcare institutions, saying cleanliness and patient care must remain central to healthcare delivery.

Itoo chaired a review meeting on the functioning of Shri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) Hospital and the Super Speciality Hospital in Srinagar, assessing medical services, infrastructure, staffing and patient care systems.

The minister reviewed diagnostic facilities, medicine availability, sanitation arrangements and other critical healthcare services and held discussions with hospital administrators and heads of departments on operational challenges.

She instructed authorities to maintain the highest standards of cleanliness across wards, corridors, waiting areas and public facilities, emphasising that hygiene was essential for infection prevention and patient safety.

Hospital administrations were directed to strengthen waste disposal systems, conduct regular inspections and ensure continuous monitoring of sanitation practices.

Itoo also stressed the importance of coordinated functioning among doctors, nurses, paramedical staff and support personnel to improve service delivery and reduce inconvenience for patients.

She asked officials to identify infrastructure gaps requiring immediate intervention and expedite measures aimed at improving efficiency and reducing waiting times.

The minister said the government remained committed to strengthening tertiary healthcare institutions through infrastructure upgrades, modern medical equipment and patient-centric governance reforms.

Officials briefed the meeting on patient inflow, manpower availability, medical equipment and ongoing initiatives aimed at improving healthcare services at the two hospitals.