Srinagar: In a new major development, Government on Wednesday approved setting up of two medical colleges in Kupwara and Udhampur districts of Jammu and Kashmir. The said two colleges will increase the number of such colleges to 9 in the state.
“The Jammu and Kashmir government has selected Handwara area from Kupwara and Udhampur as new locations for construction of the colleges,” an official statement said.
According to an order issued by Health and Medical Education department; “the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has asked the state government to submit a proposal for construction of two more medical colleges out of 75 colleges projected to be opened in the country.
The department has asked the Deputy Commissioners of both districts to identify the land measuring 200 Kanals within the range of 10 km from existing district hospitals. Ironically, Kupwara’s district hospital is situated in Handwara despite Kupwara being the district.
In this regard, Union Minister of the state in Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Dr Jatindra Singh said; “the Udhampur district had been left out to adjust with other districts when the two Medical colleges were granted to Kathua and Doda. Now with the decision, the demand has been met.”
Singh added that people of Udhampur district would benefit from the decision as patients usually travel from the said district to Government Medical College Jammu for specialized treatment.
Meanwhile, National Conference leader and former lawmaker from Handwara Choudary Mohammad Ramzan welcomed the move saying; “it will give impetus to the development of backward Kupwara district in the state”.
