SRINAGAR: Minister for Health, Medical Education, Social Welfare, and Education, Sakeena Itoo, today addressed the White Coat (apron) Wearing Ceremony of the new MBBS batch at Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar, formally welcoming the incoming students.
The event was attended by Secretary Health and Medical Education, Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, Principal GMC Srinagar, Dr. Iffat Hassan, faculty members, and a large number of students.
In her address, Minister Sakeena Itoo congratulated the new batch for earning admission to one of Jammu and Kashmir’s oldest and most prestigious medical institutions. She emphasized that the study of medicine is not just an academic pursuit but a lifelong mission to serve humanity with compassion, integrity, and professionalism.
“The medical profession is founded on trust and empathy. As future doctors, your role goes beyond treating diseases,” she said, urging students to combine scientific excellence with ethical responsibility and reminding them that medicine is both an art and a science.
Highlighting the government’s continued efforts to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and medical education, the Minister commended GMC Srinagar for its pivotal contribution to shaping the region’s healthcare landscape. She assured full government support for ongoing projects aimed at upgrading teaching, research, and hospital facilities.
In his remarks, Secretary Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah spoke about the significance of medical ethics and emerging sciences, encouraging students to become exemplary physicians. Principal Dr. Iffat Hassan reflected on the college’s history and its evolution into one of J&K’s leading medical institutions.
During the ceremony, 174 students of the MBBS Batch 2025 were formally presented with their white coats, which the Minister personally helped them don. The event also featured the felicitation of students who excelled in poster and skit competitions, followed by the administration of the Hippocratic Oath to the new batch.
