CHC Tral not upgraded despite calls for SDH status: Govt

Srinagar, Apr 8: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday said the Community Health Centre (CHC) Tral in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district has not been upgraded to the level of a Sub-District Hospital (SDH), although the matter was raised during a District Board meeting ten years ago. However, there is no staff shortage at the Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in Aripal, Dadsara and Kahlil.
Responding to a query by MLA Tral Rafiq Ahmad Naik, Health and Medical Education Minister Sakeena Itoo, said that CHC Tral has not yet received SDH status.
“At present, austerity measures issued by the Finance Department are in force. Therefore, J&K is focusing on the consolidation of existing health facilities. Around 4,000 health institutes at various levels—Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary—already exist. Jammu and Kashmir ranks among the top Union Territories and larger states in terms of health institution density,” she said.
Quoting a 2023 report published by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), GoI, Itoo said J&K has one health institution for every 3,500 persons, compared to the national average of one per 6,000.
She said the feasibility surveys for the creation of new PHCs, NTPHCs, SDHs, and sub-centres in the UT are conducted by concerned offices. If the findings are in sync with the Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) norms, proposals are forwarded for further approval, she added.
Regarding vacancies at CHC Tral, the minister said that two Medical Officers with postgraduate degrees in Surgery are currently performing the duties of consultant surgeons. Similarly, three Medical Officers with postgraduate degrees or diplomas in Gynaecology are providing gynaecological services.
“As for the Radiologist post, it has not yet been sanctioned for CHC Tral. However, Dr Zaffer Iqbal, a Medical Officer trained in ultrasonography (USG), is performing the role. Dr Irshad Ahmad Malik, a Radiologist from District Hospital Pulwama visits CHC Tral every Saturday to conduct USG services,” she said.
Itoo further said that there is no shortage of medical and paramedical staff at PHCs in Aripal, Dadsara and Kahlil in the Tral constituency.
“Sanctioned posts at the respective NTPHCs have been filled, though there are a few vacancies including Senior Pharmacists at NTPHC Satoora and Batagund, FMPHW at NTPHC Noorpora, and a Safaiwala at NTPHC Chandrigam,” she added.
The minister also said that vacancies arising from retirement or promotion would be referred to recruiting agencies to ensure timely recruitment and optimal staffing. “There is no Trauma Centre sanctioned at Awantipora. However, a new G+3 type building for PHC Awantipora has been approved under KLC funds,” she said.
Regarding the proposal for a dispensary at Bus Stand Tral, Sakina Itoo said, “No such proposal could be moved or forwarded due to ineligibility under IPHS norms, as the CHC/SDH Tral is located just 0.5 km away from Batagund, Tral.” (KNO)