Sole District from J&K Honoured; CMO Dr. Parvaiz Ahmed Khan’s Visionary Leadership Earns National Acclaim, Locals Applaud Transformative Reforms
jj correspondent
POONCH : In a remarkable milestone for public administration in border regions, Poonch district has secured the esteemed SKOCH Award in New Delhi for its exemplary implementation of the Ayushman Bharat PMJAY SEHAT initiative, thereby attaining national distinction in the domain of public healthcare delivery.
Distinguished as the only district from the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir to be so honoured, Poonch has emerged as a paragon of administrative efficiency and service delivery, particularly in ensuring equitable access to affordable and quality healthcare services across geographically remote and border areas.
At the fulcrum of this achievement stands the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Parvaiz Ahmed Khan, whose sagacious and field-oriented leadership has ushered in a paradigm shift in the district’s healthcare ecosystem. Through rigorous monitoring, unannounced inspections, institutional strengthening, and an unwavering commitment to public welfare, Dr. Khan has ensured the effective dissemination of benefits under the AB PMJAY SEHAT scheme, thereby alleviating the financial burden on innumerable underprivileged households.
The accolade also serves as a testament to the district’s fortitude during exigent circumstances. During Operation Sindoor, amidst intense cross-border hostilities, the Health Department, under Dr. Khan’s stewardship, demonstrated exceptional resilience and alacrity. Medical personnel, paramedics, and emergency response teams functioned with commendable dedication, ensuring uninterrupted healthcare services, prompt evacuation of the injured, and the preservation of human life under conditions of grave adversity. His distinguished service during this period had previously been recognised in 2025.
This accomplishment has been realised under the strategic guidance of senior functionaries including Mission Director NHM J&K Ms. Akriti Sagar (IAS), Deputy Commissioner Poonch Sh. Ashok Kumar Sharma (JKAS), and Director Health Services Jammu Dr. Poonam Sethi, whose concerted efforts have significantly reinforced institutional capacity and governance frameworks.
Coinciding with this honour, Dr. Parvaiz Ahmed Khan participated in the 108th SKOCH Summit – Public Policy Forum held in New Delhi, wherein eminent policymakers, academicians, and domain experts deliberated upon regulatory frameworks requisite for the realisation of Viksit Bharat 2047. Addressing the forum, Dr. Khan underscored the imperative of harmonising grassroots healthcare initiatives with national policy objectives to ensure inclusive and sustainable development.
The conferment of this prestigious award has elicited widespread approbation across Poonch. Residents, civil society members, and community representatives have lauded the Health Department’s unwavering commitment to public service.
A resident from Surankote remarked, “This distinction reflects a tangible transformation in healthcare accessibility. For the first time, quality treatment is both available and affordable for the common populace.”
Another local observer stated, “Dr. Parvaiz Ahmed Khan’s leadership has been transformative. Institutional responsiveness has improved markedly, and the marginalised sections are now the principal beneficiaries of government healthcare schemes.”
Frontline health workers, including ASHA volunteers and paramedical staff, have also been widely commended for their indefatigable service, which has been instrumental in realising this achievement.
With this accolade, Poonch has firmly established itself as a benchmark for excellence in public healthcare administration, exemplifying how resolute leadership, institutional integrity, and collective endeavour can surmount geographical and operational constraints.
The SKOCH Award thus stands as an enduring testament to the district’s commitment to innovation, probity in governance, and the realisation of the overarching objective of universal healthcare accessibility.
