LG inaugurates advanced MRI at Kargil hospital

Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta on Wednesday inaugurated a state-of-the-art 3-Tesla MRI facility worth Rs 25.9 crore at the Kargil district hospital, marking a significant boost to healthcare services in the region.

Addressing the gathering, Gupta said, “Geographical remoteness is no longer a barrier to quality medical services. People in remote, hilly, and border areas will now have access to world-class diagnostic facilities.”

He noted that previously, patients had to travel to Srinagar, Jammu, Chandigarh, or Delhi for advanced investigations, causing financial strain, time loss, and mental stress. “With this facility now at the district level, patients and their families will experience major relief and renewed confidence in local healthcare services,” he added.

Highlighting ongoing healthcare initiatives, Gupta said a proposal to increase the district hospital’s bed capacity from 100 to 200 has been submitted to the central government, with approval expected soon. Additionally, a new hospital block to expand capacity to 300 beds at a cost of Rs 61 crore is under construction.

He also mentioned that doctors’ quarters, staff accommodations, an administrative block, and a TB hospital are nearing completion. The Zanskar community health centre project, costing Rs 81 crore, is currently under tendering.

The inauguration of the advanced MRI facility reflects the government’s commitment to equitable and high-quality healthcare, marking a major step toward strengthening Ladakh’s public health system.