Srinagar, August 11 : Amid rising health concerns in Jammu and Kashmir, Minister Sakina Itoo announced that the government will establish food testing laboratories at every district headquarters to monitor the quality of meat, chicken, and other consumables.
The announcement came following a high-level meeting chaired by the Chief Minister, which included three concerned ministers, department heads, and officials.
The minister referred to a growing number of serious health issues in the region, including cancer, liver disease, heart attacks, and tumors. According to medical professionals, around 51,000 cancer cases have been recorded in J&K.
Minister Itoo said the government is looking into possible links between these illnesses and harmful substances found in food. Chemical contamination and adulteration were identified as potential causes under review.
She stated that legal action will be taken against those found responsible for food adulteration. Plans to carry out regular testing at district labs are being put in place to determine the edibility and safety of food items.
During her remarks, the minister also addressed the circulation of outdated videos related to healthcare services. She said repeated sharing of such content may affect the morale of doctors and disrupt healthcare delivery. The government, she noted, is attentive to complaints of medical negligence but also sees the need to maintain trust between patients and healthcare professionals.
The initiative aims to strengthen oversight of food quality and reinforce public health systems across the region.(KNS).
