*A New Era Begins : Honorable Cabinet Minister Ms Sakeena Masood Itoo Inaugurates Cathlab and Block A of MMABM Associated Hospital GMC Anantnag;*

In a highly significant development Honorable Cabinet Minister for Education, Health and Medical Education and Social Welfare of UT of Jammu and Kashmir Ms Sakeena Masood Itoo Visited GMC Anantnag to mark the beginning of a new Era. She Inaugurated Cathlab and Block A of MMABM Associated Hospital GMC Anantnag. This makes the Medical College in South Kashmir to be the first among the New Medical Colleges to get a dedicated Cathlab Inaugurated.

The Honourable Cabinet Minister Ms Sakeena Itoo inaugurated the Cathlab and Block A in the presence of Honorable MLAs of District Anantang ( Mr Abdul Majeed Bhat, Mr Peerzada Mohammad Syeed, Mr Reyaz Ahmad Khan, Mr Altaf Ahmad Wani, Mr Zafar Ali Khatana), Principal GMC Anantnag Prof. Dr Rukhsana Najeeb, Director Coordinator of New Medical Colleges and Director Family Welfare, MCH and Immunisation Dr Mushtaq Ahmad Rather, CMO Anantang Dr M Y Zagoo, Medical Superintendent MMABM Associated Hospital Dr Arshad Hussain, Heads of Various department of GMC Anantnag,, other officials from health and medical education department , concerned Engineering department officials, Desk officers and other staff.

While dedicating Cathlab and block A of GMC Anantnag to the people, the honorable Cabinet Minister said that health care must be the first priority to all of us. She added that doctors and other health care workers must uphold the trust of people and asked them to work selflessly for the patient care 24 X7. She acknowledged that there is a shortage of manpower but assured that the Government led by the Honorable Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is committed to remove all the shortcomings in the near future. She further said that it was her dream to become a doctor and offer her share to relieve the pain and sufferings of the patients. She added that she could not realise her dream of becoming a doctor for a tragedy but God has given her the opportunity to play a bigger role and to realise her dream of relieving the sufferings of the people. She thanked the engineering department for completing the works at Block A that made its inauguration possible today.

Principal and Dean of GMC Anantnag Prof Dr. Rukhsana Najeeb described the event as historic and gave a detailed power point presentation to highlight the work done and achievements of GMC Anantnag in front of the August gathering. She praised the leadership and commitment of Honorable Cabinet Minister Ms Sakeena Itoo and thanked the Government of Jammu and Kashmir for providing remarkable support at every step to GMC Anantnag for upgradation of manpower and infrastructure. She congratulated people of south Kashmir for getting the best possible medical care close to their doorstep. She thanked all the departments of GMC for working with zeal and dedication day in and day out for the upliftment of patient care and academics at GMC Anantnag

Medical Faculty Forum GMC Anantnag presented a token of respect to the Honourable Cabinet Minister and thanked her for the support especially of adjusting reporting times to hospitals during harsh winters. They hoped that the honourable Minister shall play a positive rule for the betterment of the Medical fraternity in future as well.

The Coordinator New Medical Colleges and Director family welfare, MCH and Immunisation gave the vote of thanks and praised Dr Syed Abid Rashid ( IAS), Secretary health and medical education and District Development Commissioner Anantang Dr Syed Fakhruddin Hamid ( IAS) for their efforts to make this inauguration possible. He showered special praises on the worthy Cabinet Minister and described her as the one of the Deedawar ( highly foresighted) who are born once in a lifetime.

This historic inauguration was appreciated by one and all and is being seen as a great relief to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, especially to those living in south Kashmir and Pir Panjal region. The trio cardiologists of GMC Anantnag ( Dr Syed Maqbool, Dr Shamim Iqbal, Dr Showkat Hussain Shah) were honoured by the honorable minister at the occasion for their excellent work and commitment.