Sakina Itoo inaugurates three PHCs in Anantnag, says govt strengthening healthcare
Jammu and Kashmir Minister for Health and Education, Sakina Itoo, on Wednesday inaugurated three New Type Primary Health Centres (NTPHCs) in Anantnag district at Arwani, Fatehpora, and Brinti Dailgam. The minister was accompanied by senior legislators from the region, including Bashir Ahmad Veeri, MLA Bijbehara, at Arwani, and Abdul Majeed Larmi, MLA Anantnag West, at Fatehpora and Brinti Dailgam.
Speaking to reporters after the inaugurations, Itoo launched a sharp attack on Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti, holding her party responsible for the economic and social distress of the Valley. “It is the PDP which has broken the back of Kashmir. If things are damaged today, it is because of them, not us,” Itoo said.
She particularly highlighted the plight of the horticulture sector, which she described as the “backbone of the people of Kashmir.” She alleged that successive PDP-led policies undermined local apple growers. “For years, outside apples have been given priority, while the traders and farmers of Jammu and Kashmir have been weakened. Those who make tall claims today are the very ones responsible for the difficulties we face,” she remarked.
The minister underlined that the National Conference (NC)-led government under Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was focused on addressing both healthcare and economic challenges. “Today, we inaugurated three PHCs in Anantnag to improve health accessibility. Poor people cannot afford to go to Delhi or Chandigarh for treatment. Our government has already installed a cath lab at GMC Anantnag. Earlier, heart attack patients had to be shifted to Srinagar, but now they can get treatment locally,” she said.
She assured that the government was strengthening facilities across district and sub-district hospitals to ease the burden on patients and their families. “We want to serve people who trusted us in elections,” she added.
On the issue of road connectivity, Itoo acknowledged the hardships caused by frequent closures of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, which she said had badly hit tourism and horticulture. “Tourism has already suffered. Our Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has personally visited the affected areas and taken up the matter with the Centre, as the highway is under central control,” she said.
Reiterating her criticism of Mehbooba Mufti, Itoo concluded that the NC government was working to restore the confidence of the people. “The problems we endure today are because of those who weakened our economy. We are committed to correcting that and giving people better facilities.”
