Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday called for making advanced treatment and modern healthcare facilities accessible to every citizen, saying equitable access to healthcare is essential for ensuring social justice and equality.
Addressing the inaugural session of the 3rd CII Jammu & Kashmir Health Conclave, the Lieutenant Governor urged stakeholders to work towards building a healthcare system that combines technology, innovation and collaboration between the government and private sector.
He called for the development of modern primary health centres in every village, linked with district-level healthcare networks, while advocating greater use of artificial intelligence for early disease detection, stronger disease surveillance, genomic capabilities and local manufacturing of diagnostic kits.
The LG also stressed the need to build a robust healthcare workforce through nursing and paramedical institutions, continuous skill development and greater cooperation between public and private healthcare institutions.
“Private hospitals and industries associated with the health sector must also join this effort, recognising it as an important task of nation-building. I believe that the strongest health systems are those in which the government and the private sector work together for public welfare, combining their capabilities, speed and innovation,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor said the real measure of a healthcare system’s success should be its impact on people’s lives. He envisioned a future where families in Kupwara would not have to travel long distances for routine medical care, workers in Rajouri would be free from financial anxiety over healthcare and medical graduates could build their careers within Jammu Kashmir.
“Advanced treatment and modern health facilities must be accessible to all so that we may establish the principles of social justice and equality. The health of an individual or a family affects opportunities, productivity and overall well-being of the society,” Sinha said.
Earlier, inaugurating the conclave, the Lieutenant Governor highlighted the vision of “Health Services Anytime, Anywhere”, stressing that innovation and technology must be used to overcome geographical barriers and extend quality healthcare to remote and underserved communities.
Citing telemedicine as an example, he said an ASHA worker could use tele-consultation to connect patients in remote villages with doctors at district hospitals, thereby reducing the limitations imposed by distance.
He also called for low-cost, high-impact innovations suited to Jammu Kashmir, including drone-based delivery of medical supplies and solar-powered cold chains for health centres in high-altitude areas.
The Lieutenant Governor stressed the importance of shifting the focus of healthcare from treatment of illness to prevention and early intervention, with greater emphasis on regular screening, accessible primary healthcare and timely treatment.
“We need to move beyond a system that treats illness to one that protects and promotes health. We must prioritise regular screening, easy access to primary healthcare services and timely treatment,” he said.
He also underlined the need to expand training capacity in medical and nursing education, improve staffing, reduce the administrative burden on healthcare workers and provide support for their wellbeing.
Sinha highlighted the expansion of healthcare infrastructure in Jammu Kashmir, including two AIIMS institutions, 10 new medical colleges, two State Cancer Institutes, specialised hospitals, 52 nursing colleges, 23 paramedical colleges and five pharmacy colleges, describing these developments as significant steps towards equitable healthcare.
He said Jammu Kashmir was emerging as a hub of innovation and resilience in the health sector and called upon the public and private sectors to work together to further strengthen the healthcare ecosystem.
The Lieutenant Governor also extended his best wishes to Ujala Cygnus for its new Peace and Wellbeing Foundation, describing the health conclave as an opportunity for stakeholders to discuss and reshape healthcare delivery in Jammu Kashmir and other parts of the country.
‘J&K should aspire to host international sporting events’
Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday said Jammu and Kashmir should aspire not only to participate in international sporting events but also to host them and showcase its talent to the world.
Addressing a function here on National Sports Day, Sinha said the regions achievements in sports over the past six years showed that dedicated preparation could create “an entire era of champions”.
He also paid tributes to hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand and called upon the youth to contribute to building a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
“Champions are forged through discipline and effort, not shortcuts,” Sinha said, urging corporate houses to support athletes at the talent-recognition stage rather than only after they win medals.
He said society, coaches, support staff and parents had a collective responsibility in shaping sporting champions.
Sinha outlined three duties for young people — to lead by example, compete with dignity, accept defeat gracefully and inspire future generations. He also urged them to use sports to transcend differences of language and faith and mentor the next generation.
He commended the youth for their participation in the drug-free campaign said development is not measured by GDP alone but by the health, energy, and confidence of citizens.
“A healthy India is a fearless India. A sporting India is a confident India, and a confident India is an invincible India,” he said.
“Major Dhyan Chand, the wizard of hockey, gave the entire world one message to find your goal. That must be our message today as well. Whatever field we stand in, whether it is the field of sports, science, or public service we must identify our goal, move towards it, and achieve it together,” he added.
Recalling Major Dhyan Chand’s legendary performance, Sinha described him as one of India’s deepest and most enduring symbols, whose brilliance compelled the world to pause and acknowledge India’s immense sporting talent.
The lieutenant governor emphasized that sports are not merely about medals but about cultivating resilience, unity, and the spirit of nation-building.
“Sport is life’s most honest teacher. The playing field never lies; rather, it tells you precisely where you stand today and what you must do to become better tomorrow. There are no shortcuts in sports. Even on the hockey turf, there is no place for excuses. There is only hard work, opportunity, and a test of your character,” he said.
Highlighting the role of youth, he said that sports give wings to dreams, and expressed confidence in the young athletes of Jammu Kashmir, noting that they represent the bright future of India.
He envisioned a future where every Gram Panchayat harnesses the power of sports, where academies in small towns nurture talent, and where farmers’ daughters receive the same scientific training as athletes in Centres of Excellence in big cities.
Sinha underlined the importance of sports science, management, and technical expertise in universities and institutions, which would produce trainers, physiotherapists, and managers for the future.
On the occasion, the lieutenant governor administered the National Sports Day pledge and felicitated the top-performing sportspersons of the 69th National School Games.
MoUs were also exchanged between the Directorate of Youth Services and Sports, J&K, and Abhinav Bindra Foundation, Dani Sports Foundation and Common Services Centres, for promotion of sports in Jammu and Kashmir.
