Lauds Rapid Progress, Calls AIIMS Jammu a Model of Excellence in Healthcare and Education
KD NEWS SERVICE
JAMMU, July 17: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday expressed strong appreciation for the remarkable progress made by AIIMS Jammu, saying it has the potential to be ranked among the finest of the 23 AIIMS institutes across India. During his visit to the premier medical facility located in Samba district, Abdullah reviewed its functioning and praised the scale and speed of its development.
Speaking to reporters after his inspection, the Chief Minister said, “If we look at the 22 other AIIMS in the country, perhaps the best AIIMS will be counted as that of Jammu. Not only are patients from Jammu coming here for treatment, but people from neighbouring states have also started arriving.” He acknowledged that the journey to the hospital isn’t the easiest at present due to road conditions, but noted that this will change dramatically once the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway is completed. “Once the expressway gets completed, the rush of patients will increase,” he remarked.
Omar Abdullah was accompanied by his Adviser, Nasir Aslam Wani, as he addressed an enthusiastic gathering of AIIMS management, faculty, students, and medical staff. In his speech, Abdullah lauded the institution’s rise as a hub of healthcare and education and credited the vision and determination behind its creation. “The successful establishment and functioning of AIIMS is a testament to the power of will and vision. The dream of the Prime Minister has truly taken shape here,” he said, adding, “World-class efforts and endeavour seem to have come together to create this exceptional facility.”
Highlighting the growing importance of AIIMS Jammu, the Chief Minister noted how the institute is already attracting patients from across the country. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting its ongoing expansion and called on other hospitals in the region to follow this model of institutional excellence. Expressing optimism about the future of healthcare in the Union Territory, he said, “We hope AIIMS Kashmir is completed soon and becomes operational, offering similar world-class services.”
In a significant moment during the visit, the Chief Minister released the Manual of Disaster Management prepared by AIIMS Jammu. Emphasising the importance of preparedness in an unpredictable world, he said, “We sincerely hope never to face a situation that requires the use of this manual. Yet, in the interest of preparedness, it is better to have and not need than to need and not have. Such forward-thinking initiatives by institutions like AIIMS are commendable.”
Adviser Nasir Aslam Wani also addressed the event, congratulating AIIMS Jammu for its outstanding infrastructure, lush green campus, and rapid emergence as a premier healthcare institution. He praised the patient-friendly registration process and the high quality of treatment available at the hospital, which is already setting new standards in the region.
Prof. Shakti Kumar Gupta, Director of AIIMS Jammu, gave a comprehensive presentation on the institute’s growth trajectory. He revealed that AIIMS Jammu has not only scaled up its services but is also receiving strong patient satisfaction feedback. “Our data shows that 82 per cent of discharged patients are highly satisfied, while another 17 per cent are satisfied with the services provided,” he said. Prof. Gupta also outlined the institute’s long-term vision of becoming a global centre for healthcare, medical research, and academic excellence.
Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah toured various sections of the AIIMS campus, including diagnostic laboratories, testing facilities, in-patient wards, and modern academic classrooms. He closely examined the hospital’s infrastructure, its technological readiness, and the overall functioning of departments. The visit reflected the administration’s focus on quality healthcare delivery, innovation, and the strengthening of tertiary medical infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir.
