Srinagar, July 2: In a significant step towards strengthening healthcare infrastructure, the Government of India has sanctioned 275 AI-enabled Portable Handheld X-Ray Machines, nine 1.5 Tesla MRI Units and four Digital Mammography Units for the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir under the Prime Minister’s Fund, aiming to improve diagnostic services and ensure better access to advanced healthcare facilities.
The project will be implemented following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, and the Government of Jammu & Kashmir. The sophisticated medical equipment will be installed in identified government health institutions across the Union Territory.
Officials said the initiative is expected to significantly strengthen diagnostic capabilities by facilitating early disease detection, AI-supported tuberculosis screening and enhanced breast cancer screening, while improving the overall quality of healthcare services in government hospitals.
The procurement, installation and commissioning of the equipment will be carried out by the Government of India through its designated agencies. Supplies are expected to begin in the coming months.
Meanwhile, the Health and Medical Education Department has been entrusted with ensuring timely site readiness, availability of trained manpower and swift operationalization of the equipment so that patients across Jammu & Kashmir can benefit from these advanced diagnostic facilities without delay.
The allocation has been described as the outcome of sustained efforts by the Health and Medical Education Department to modernize healthcare infrastructure and expand access to quality diagnostic services throughout the Union Territory.
Officials further stated that Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo has been closely monitoring health sector reforms, with special emphasis on upgrading healthcare infrastructure, strengthening public health institutions, improving diagnostic facilities and ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare services for all sections of society.
The initiative is expected to substantially enhance the diagnostic capacity of government hospitals, reduce referrals to higher medical institutions, facilitate timely diagnosis and treatment, and ultimately improve healthcare outcomes across Jammu & Kashmir.(KNC)
