Budgam, May 22: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Itoo chaired a high-level review meeting at the Civil Secretariat to assess the status of health and education sectors in Budgam constituency and directed officials to accelerate ongoing developmental works.

The meeting was attended by MLA Budgam Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi, senior officials from the School Education, Higher Education, Health and Social Welfare departments, besides district-level officers and heads of various institutions.
During the meeting, the Minister reviewed progress under different government schemes and examined the status of infrastructure projects across the constituency. She stressed the need for close coordination among departments to ensure timely completion of works without compromising quality.
Reviewing the construction of Government Degree College Soibugh, Sakeena Itoo directed officials to expedite the project so that it is completed and made functional at the earliest. She also called for removal of bottlenecks delaying the permanent campus of the Maulana Azad National Urdu University satellite centre.
On the healthcare front, the Minister sought detailed updates on staffing, availability of medicines, diagnostic services and patient care facilities in hospitals and health institutions across Budgam. She directed the Health Department to rationalise manpower by addressing shortages in rural and peripheral areas.
The Minister further instructed officials to ensure round-the-clock functioning of diagnostic facilities such as MRI, CT Scan and USG services in hospitals and Government Medical Colleges where available. She also sought a report on the use of these facilities beyond routine working hours during the past month.
Emphasising the government’s commitment to strengthening public services, Sakeena Itoo said healthcare and education remain priority sectors and reiterated the need to improve access to quality services in both urban and rural areas.
Reviewing the education sector, she assessed school infrastructure projects, availability of teaching staff and implementation of academic initiatives. She directed officers to improve learning environments, strengthen academic standards and complete ongoing school building and upgradation works without delay.
The Minister also stressed transparency, accountability and regular monitoring of developmental projects, saying timely implementation of welfare initiatives is essential to meet public expectations and accelerate development in the region.