Kargil, Dec 24: Lieutenant Governor, Ladakh Kavinder Gupta, on Wednesday inaugurated a long-awaited, state-of-the-art 3 Tesla MRI facility at the District Hospital in Kargil, marking a historic upgrade in local healthcare for remote residents by providing world-class diagnostics, fulfilling previous promises, and boosting regional health infrastructure.
This significant step follows earlier inaugurations of CT scan machines and modern hospital facilities in Kargil, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to better health access in Ladakh’s challenging terrain.
The Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, stated that the facility will ensure access to world-class diagnostic services for people living in remote, hilly and border areas, overcoming longstanding geographical and climatic challenges.
The Lieutenant Governor dedicated the state-of-the-art MRI facility to the people of Kargil in the presence of Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC Kargil, Dr. Jaffer Akhoon; Member of Parliament Mohd Hanifa Jan; Executive Councillors; and special guests including Chief Secretary Dr. Pawan Kotwal, Principal Secretary Sanjeev Khirwar, Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Kumar, SSP Nitin Yadav, Director Health Services Dr. Tashi Thinles, Chairman Haj Committee Ali Majaz, senior officers, religious heads, medical staff and students.
Highlighting Ladakh’s harsh terrain and long winters, Kavinder Gupta said that the installation of advanced diagnostic technology reflects the administration’s commitment to equitable and quality healthcare. He noted that patients from Kargil earlier had to travel outside the district for advanced investigations, leading to financial, physical and mental hardship, which will now be significantly reduced. The Lt Governor also outlined ongoing healthcare infrastructure projects, including proposals to enhance hospital bed capacity, construction of new hospital blocks, residential quarters for staff, and expansion of health facilities across the UT. He urged optimal utilization of the MRI facility to benefit all sections of society.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Jaffer Akhoon and Chief Secretary Dr. Pawan Kotwal termed the facility a major milestone that will strengthen local healthcare delivery and ensure timely, accurate diagnosis for the people.
Dr. Akhoon termed the facility a major milestone in strengthening healthcare infrastructure in the region and said it would greatly benefit patients by providing advanced diagnostic services locally.
The CEC requested Principal Secretary Sanjeev Khirwar to address the shortage of super specialist doctors in Kargil, including cardiologists, urologists, nephrologists, and other specialists. He also urged the administration to provide short-term ultrasound / sonography training for MBBS doctors in neighbouring hospitals of Jammu and Kashmir. Additionally, he requested the provision of first-aid emergency services for people residing in Jammu to facilitate them during medical emergencies.
Speaking on the occasion, Member of Parliament for Ladakh, Mohd Hanifa Jan, expressed his happiness over the installation of the 3 Tesla MRI machine and termed it a result of collaborative efforts between the UT Administration and LAHDC Kargil. He said the facility would provide significant relief to the people, especially those from marginalised sections of society. The MP added that medical facilities across hospitals, CHCs, and PHCs in Ladakh are increasingly being equipped with modern infrastructure, and emphasized the need for continued collaborative efforts to further strengthen the healthcare system.
Socio-political activist Sajad Kargili has also expressed gratitude to the LG administration and LAHDC Kargil for installation of MRI facility at Kargil. Kargili earlier had raised the issue and demand with the LG administration Ladakh.
