Adequate infrastructure, resources in all health institutions: Sakeena Itoo

Jammu, Mar 15: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday said all health institutions in the Union Territory possess adequate infrastructure with basic to moderate machinery and equipment to provide better patient care.
Responding to a query from MLA Nizam-ud-din Bhat, Minister for Health and Medical Education Department, Sakeena Itoo said that all healthcare institutions in Jammu and Kashmir are well-equipped with infrastructure, machinery and human resources.
“There is also sufficient infrastructure and human resources available at District Hospital Bandipora, PHC Ashtingoo, and PHC Choutimalla. Any vacancies arising due to retirement or promotion will be referred to recruiting agencies to ensure maximum allocation of staff as per the sanctioned strength,” she said.
Regarding the NTPHC Zuriwanz, Itoo said it is currently functioning in a rented building, while a government building is under construction and will be operational soon.
For the creation and upgradation of new healthcare facilities, the parameters adopted for NTPHCs include feasibility reports from the concerned CMO/BMO as per IPHS norms, availability of suitable land (3-4 kanals), fulfilment of population norms (30,000 souls for plain areas and 20,000 souls for hilly areas), distance from the nearest healthcare facility (approximately 5 km) and geo-coordinates of the proposed site
For sub-centres, the parameters include the feasibility report from the concerned CMO/BMO as per IPHS norms, availability of suitable land (2 kanals), fulfilment of population norms (3,000 souls for plain areas and 2,000 souls for hilly areas), distance from the nearest healthcare facility (approximately 5 km) and geo-coordinates of the proposed site.
“Currently, J&K is focusing on consolidating existing health facilities, with around 4,000 healthcare institutions at various levels (Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary),” the minister said.
She said J&K is among the top-ranking states/UTs in healthcare institution density in the country. As per the 2023 report published by MoHFW, GoI, J&K has one healthcare institution for every 3,500 people, compared to the national average of one for every 6,000 people,” Itoo said.
“No future creations or upgrades are planned at this time. Such initiatives will be considered once the austerity measures imposed by Government Order No. 17-F of 2024 dated 15.01.2024 are lifted and critical gaps as per IPHS are assessed,” the minister added. (KNO)