Mini Maternity Hospital at Zakoora vacated by security forces: Govt

Srinagar, Mar 20: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Thursday said the Mini Maternity Hospital at Zakoora has been vacated by security forces after being in use for four years. It added that steps are being taken to make the hospital functional again in the near future.
Responding to a query from MLA Salman Sagar, Minister for Health and Medical Education Department Sakeena Itoo, said the hospital had been non-functional during the period of control. “With the facility now vacated, the government is coordinating with the Managing Director of the J&K Housing Board to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for necessary repairs and renovations to ensure the building is suitable for hospital operations,” she said.
Addressing another inquiry regarding the establishment of a 24×7 mini hospital at Fakir Gujri, Minister Itoo clarified that the term “Mini Hospital” does not exist within the Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) norms. However, she said that the Sub Centre Fakir Gujri was upgraded to a New Type Primary Health Centre (NTPHC) as per Government Order No. 585-(HME) on October 17, 2014. This included the addition of a Medical Officer position, along with the deployment of a Block Health Worker (BHW) and Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) from the Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Hazratbal, she said.
The minister said a postgraduate doctor from the Department of Community Medicine attends the facility for three days a week, while a Medical Officer is scheduled to visit once or twice a month for ultrasound services.
Itoo further said that the designation of New Type Primary Health Centres (NTPHCs) is part of an initiative to modernise the healthcare framework in Jammu and Kashmir, replacing the former Allopathic Dispensaries.
She added that the entry gate of SKIMS, Soura from Anchar Side has been closed for security reasons based on recommendations from security agencies. “There are currently no plans to reopen the Anchar Gate due to potential security risks associated with SKIMS,” she said. (KNO)