JAMMU : Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today emphasized the need to improve handling of emergency cases and capacity at various Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) to ease the burden on major hospitals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He also stressed the importance of ensuring that doctors serve beyond urban centers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe need to augment and improve the emergency handling capability and capacity in new GMCs so that the pressure on GMC Jammu and GMC Srinagar is automatically reduced. Similarly, we must ensure that our doctors don\u2019t just practice in cities. I know it\u2019s not a popular thing to say, but rural areas also deserve proper healthcare access,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Chief Minister was addressing JK MediCon-2025, the first ever National Conference-cum-Workshop, at Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The event was organized by the J&K Medical Council in collaboration with the Student Research Development Council (SRDC).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The conference was attended by Minister for Health & Medical Education Sakina Itoo, former Chief Minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Secretary H&ME Dr. Syed Abid Rashid, Jammu West MLA Arvind Gupta, Principal & Dean of GMC Jammu Dr. Ashutosh Gupta, Chairman JK Medical Council Dr. Muhammad Saleem Khan, senior professors, doctors, faculty and students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Omar Abdullah highlighted his government\u2019s commitment to improving healthcare accessibility across Jammu and Kashmir.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur challenge is to make healthcare more easily accessible. Professor Gupta pointed out the excessive pressure on GMC Jammu\u2019s emergency services, which stems from the fact that healthcare in peripheral areas is not of the required standard. This forces people to flood into cities,\u201d he noted. He emphasized that the solution lies in improving healthcare infrastructure in rural areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe way to reduce this pressure is not just by expanding our infrastructure in Jammu but by strengthening facilities in peripheral areas. There was a time when we only had GMC Jammu and GMC Srinagar. Now, we have GMCs at the district level,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speaking about MediCon-2025, the Chief Minister acknowledged its importance in fostering debates and discussions on key medical issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere are all sorts of debates surrounding the topics that MediCon can address. The good thing is that students are involved through SRDC,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He also highlighted that participants will earn 11 credits through MediCon, which will encourage greater engagement and enthusiasm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI hope the futuristic advancements in medical science will be part of our discussions\u2014how much technology is beneficial, how much human contact should be replaced by machines. While some tasks may be better performed by AI, there are things that only human beings can do,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Touching on the ethical dimensions of modern medical trends, Omar Abdullah raised concerns about the intersection of medicine and profit-driven healthcare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhere do we draw the ethical line in medicine? Is there such a thing as too much ethics? Does the pursuit of profit in medical care conflict with ethical responsibilities? Should hospitals treat patients as a means of revenue generation?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He also noted the pressure on doctors working in corporate hospitals, where their performance is measured not by the number of patients they treat but by the revenue they generate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Delving into the future of robotic surgery and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in medicine, the Chief Minister highlighted both the potential and concerns surrounding these advancements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOne trend that seems to be catching on is the use of robotic surgery. Principal GMC Jammu mentioned that AI could one day take over medical procedures. Honestly, I can\u2019t imagine a scarier prospect than entrusting my life entirely to a machine. At the end of the day, there is immense value in human contact, and that\u2019s where doctors\u2014who literally do God\u2019s work\u2014play an irreplaceable role,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He praised doctors for their dedication and lifelong learning.\u201cYou pull people back from the jaws of death. You give hope where all hope seems lost. You stand by patients and their families at their most vulnerable moments\u2014whether in recovery or in times of loss,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs doctors, you never stop learning. You are always adapting to new techniques, medicines, and treatment methods. But no machine can replace the human touch when a doctor delivers a diagnosis or a prognosis. Patients and their families hold on to every word a doctor says,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chief Minister also acknowledged the growth plans for GMC Jammu and expressed his intent to contribute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPrincipal GMC Jammu presented several ideas for GMC Jammu\u2019s future growth. My colleagues and I will ensure at least one of those proposals is implemented so that I, too, can have a foundation stone here and not feel left out in future presentations,\u201d he said in a lighter vein.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He also underscored the significance of MediCon-2025, noting that it is the first of its kind in J&K and possibly in the country, where a state or regional medical council has organized such an event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis event brings together the best minds to share ideas, best practices, and research advances while discussing emerging trends in medicine,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Earlier, Principal GMC Jammu gave a detailed presentation on the college\u2019s growth and future plans.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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