Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Thursday informed the Legislative Assembly about steps being taken to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and social welfare facilities across the Union Territory, including upgradation of hospitals, staffing of health institutions and functioning of Anganwadi centres.
Replying to a question by MLA Kangan Mian Mehar Ali during the Budget Session, Minister for Health and Medical Education Sakeena Itoo said that NTPHC Haripora is already functioning from a three-room government health department building. She said any augmentation would be considered in the interest of patient care as and when required.
The Minister further informed that the NTPHC at Sumbal is currently operating from rented accommodation and the Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal has been asked to identify suitable land for construction of a permanent building. She added that no funds have yet been sanctioned and the project will be taken up only after transfer of encumbrance-free land and availability of budgetary resources in a phased manner.
Responding to another query by MLA Altaf Ahmad Wani (Kaloo), Itoo said the department is focusing on strengthening existing healthcare institutions as per IPHS-2022 norms. She explained that districts with less than five lakh population having a functional district hospital do not require a Sub-District Hospital, and that Jammu and Kashmir already has more SDHs than admissible under the norms.
She informed the House that NTPHC Pahalgam has been sanctioned for upgradation to a 50-bedded hospital with creation of 26 posts. Out of the sanctioned strength of 38 posts, 17 positions including consultants, a medical officer and a dental surgeon have been filled. Recruitment and promotions are underway to fill remaining vacancies.
The Minister said construction of the additional 50-bedded block at Pahalgam Hospital is progressing at a cost of ₹1,889.90 lakh, of which ₹1,100 lakh has already been spent. During the current financial year, ₹340 lakh has been released out of an approved allocation of ₹400 lakh, while additional support has also been approved under SASCI. Truss work has been completed and finishing works are in progress, she added.
She also stated that the government is not considering a trauma hospital between Qazigund and Pahalgam as specialised manpower and equipment are required and adequate facilities already exist at Trauma Hospital Qazigund, GMC Anantnag and Trauma Hospital Bijbehara. During the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, health camps and enhanced manpower, ambulance services and infrastructure are provided at institutions such as PHC Mattan, SDH Seer Hamdan, PHC Aishmuqam and Pahalgam Hospital. PHC Aishmuqam has been made operational round-the-clock to cater to devotees visiting the Ziyarat.
In reply to a question by MLA Kuldeep Raj Dubey, the Minister said 36 Health Sub-Centres and PHCs are functioning in Reasi constituency with 175 personnel deployed. Of the sanctioned 163 regular staff, 101 are in position, while 74 out of 78 posts under the National Health Mission have been filled. She added that certain villages including Drabi Panchayat, Harotekote and Dhakikot do not qualify for new health centres under IPHS norms.
Meanwhile, replying to another query by MLA Arjun Singh Raju in her capacity as Social Welfare Minister, Itoo said 28,186 Anganwadi Centres are operational across Jammu and Kashmir, of which 26,937 are functioning from rented premises. Construction of permanent buildings will be taken up in phases subject to availability of funds and land, and proposals for new centres meeting eligibility criteria will be examined for submission to the Government of India.
