Medical infrastructure strengthened in Kishtwar

Jammu, May 2: To provide better patient care in remote areas of Kishtwar district, the Administrative Council (AC), which met here Monday under the chairmanship of Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, approved the proposal of Health and Medical Education Department to upgrade the Primary Health Centre Atholi, Padder to the level of Sub-District Hospital along with creation of 21 Posts of different categories.
Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary, J&K and Nitishwar Kumar, Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor attended the meeting.
The enhanced medical infrastructure and capabilities in Padder will cater to the needs of approximately 30,000 population from feeding villages comprising local population, devotees visiting the pilgrimage site of Machail, tourists, and trekkers.
The newly created posts will ensure availability of senior consultants, medical officers, lab technicians, pharmacists, nurses and the allied staff at the medical facilities in these remote areas.
Pertinently, under the Prime Minister Development Package (PMDP), a 25-bedded new hospital building is coming up at PHC Atholi Padder at an estimated cost of Rs. 12.00 Crore which will enhance the current bed capacity of 5 to 30. The hospital building will be completed during the current financial year 2022-23.
To further strengthen healthcare services in Padder area of Kishtwar district, the Administrative Council also approved establishment of a New Type Primary Health Centre (NTPHC) at Machail, Block Padder. The Council also approved of 07 posts of different categories including Medical Officer, Jr. Pharmacist, Jr. Staff Nurse Lab Technician etc.
The upcoming facility will be completed in one year and will provide better health care facilities to the local masses particularly during harsh winter season besides creating medical facility for tourists/ pilgrims for first aid/emergency treatment especially during the annual Machail Yatra.
Furthermore, to promote skilling of local youth, the Administrative Council also approved setting up of an Industrial Training Institute (ITI) at Paddar with five Trades along with creation of 18 (Eighteen) posts of different categories. The approved ITI will be established at an estimated cost of Rs. 10.25 crore.
Establishing an ITI at Padder, Kishtwar has been a long pending demand of the inhabitants of the area as there is an enormous potential of investment in various infrastructural projects in Pir Panjal particularly after the commissioning of Dul-Hasti and Rattle Hydel Power Projects wherein a large number of technically skilled workers are required.