Enhancing healthcare: J&K Medical Council partners with ECHO-India
‘Partnership aims to empower local healthcare professionals, improve patient care’
Srinagar: The Jammu & Kashmir Medical Council (JKMC) has partnered with ECHO-India, a leading not-for-profit organisation focused on transformative capacity-building in healthcare, education and livelihoods. The collaboration, aimed at improving Continuing Medical Education (CME) and providing mentorship to local healthcare professionals, will ensure better access to quality healthcare for the region’s residents.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Prof (Dr) S. Muhammad Salim Khan, President of the JKMC, and representatives from ECHO-India, including Dr SandeepBhalla, Vice President of Projects, Ms Paromita Das, General Manager of Projects and Dr MariyaBeigh. The event was attended by several distinguished members of the JKMC, including Prof SandeepDogra, Prof Vishal Tandon and Dr Jyoti Jolly, among others.
This partnership will focus on capacity-building and providing accredited CME programmes for healthcare professionals across Jammu & Kashmir, with the goal of enhancing the knowledge and skills of doctors, particularly those working in peripheral health setups. The unique ECHO model, which stresses case-based learning and mentorship, will allow local healthcare providers to tap into expert-led knowledge-sharing networks, ultimately improving patient care and outcomes.
Starting January 2025, the JKMC will introduce a new system for medical practitioners in the region. In addition to their regular responsibilities, the Council will require doctors to renew their registrations every five years, with the requirement of earning 30 accredited CME credit hours to maintain their certification. This move is expected to foster continuous professional development and ensure that doctors remain updated on the latest medical advancements.
Prof (Dr) S Muhammad Salim Khan, President of the JKMC, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, saying, “This partnership is a crucial step toward bridging healthcare access and knowledge gaps in Jammu & Kashmir. By joining hands with ECHO India, we are empowering our healthcare providers with the essential tools and mentorship needed to serve their communities more effectively. We are committed to creating a robust medical community that can tackle evolving health challenges.”
ECHO India, which has been actively working with the state’s healthcare departments, medical institutions, and community health workers, has already made substantial strides in improving health services in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. Its initiatives have focused on critical areas such as tribal health, tuberculosis, oncology, comprehensive primary healthcare (CPHC), and geriatric care.
Dr SandeepBhalla, Vice President of Projects at ECHO India, highlighted the importance of the partnership, saying, “ECHO-India is honoured to collaborate with the Jammu & Kashmir Medical Council in driving scalable and impactful healthcare capacity-building initiatives. Our goal is to strengthen the healthcare ecosystem in the Union Territory and ensure equitable access to quality care for all, particularly in underserved areas.”
With this partnership, both ECHO India and the Jammu & Kashmir Medical Council aim to build a sustainable, inclusive and high-quality healthcare system that can effectively meet the needs of the diverse population of Jammu & Kashmir, Bhalla said. (KNO)
