Says construction of 50-bedded additional block at Pahalgam Hospital steadily progressing

Jammu Feb 19 :- Minister for Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo, today informed the House that the department is presently focusing on consolidation and strengthening of the existing healthcare facilities broadly as per IPHS-2022 norms to improve the healthcare services across Jammu and Kashmir.

The Health Minister stated this in reply to a question raised by Legislator Altaf Ahmad Wani (Kaloo) in the Legislative Assembly.

The Minister said that  as per IPHS norms 2022 districts with less than 5 lakh population with a functional District Hospital (DH) do not need a Sub District Hospital (SDH, districts with populations between 5-10 lakh can have one SDH and thereafter, one SDH for every 10-lakh population can be considered for the provision of comprehensive secondary care health services.

She added that, as per this criteria, district having a population upto 20 lakh can have one DH and two SDHs, whereas each district of J&K has more SDHs than the admissibility as per IPHS-2022.

The Health Minister further said that the department has accorded sanction for up-gradation of NTPHC Pahalgam to the level of 50 bedded Hospital along with creation of 26 posts of different categories. She added that against the sanctioned strength of 38 posts, 17 posts of doctors and para-medics have been filled up, which included 03 Consultants, 01 Medical Officer and 01 Dental Surgeon.

The Minister also said that efforts are afoot for filling up of vacancies through recruiting agency besides ensuring promotions. She added that during the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, availability of doctors, paramedics and other support staff is significantly enhanced as per actual requirement.

She further said that the construction of 50-bedded block at Pahalgam Hospital is steadily progressing. She added that an additional block for the hospital is under construction at a cost of ₹1889.90 lakh against which ₹1100.00 lakh expenditure has been incurred.

She said that during the current financial year 2025-26, an amount of ₹340.00 lakh has been released to the executing agency out of approved allocation of ₹400.00 lakh. Besides, additional funding is also approved under SASCI to speed up the pace of work.

“Truss work is complete and finishing works are in progress. The equipment shall also be made available in a phased manner in line with requirements of the hospital within budgetary resources”, she said.

Giving further details,, the Minister said that the department is not considering establishment of Trauma Hospital between Qazigund and Pahalgam, as these institutions require specialised manpower and other allied support staff besides high end equipment and modular operation theatres. She added that two Trauma Care facilities, Trauma Hospital Qazigund and Trauma Centre at Government Medical College Anantnag, are available en-route Qazigund and Pahalgam to meet the trauma related and other healthcare requirements. She said that Trauma Hospital Bijbehara, 4 km away from Khanabal-Pahalgam-Qazigund road, is also available.

During the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, the Health Minister said that health camps are being established to provide medical facilities to the pilgrims. These included augmenting hospital men, machinery and ambulance services in the existing health institutions like PHC Mattan (additional block under construction), SDH Seer Hamdan, PHC Aishmuqam and 50-bedded Hospital Pahalgam.

She apprised the House that PHC Aishmuqam has already been made operational on 24×7 basis to cater to the medical needs of devotees visiting Ziyarat of Sakhie Zain-U-Din Wali (RA) Aishmuqam.

NTPHC Haripora functioning in Govt building, land being identified for Sumbal centre: Sakeena Itoo

Minister for Health & Medical Education Sakeena Itoo today informed the Legislative Assembly that NTPHC Haripora is already functioning in a three room government building of Health Department.

She was replying to a question raised by MLA Kangan Mian Mehar Ali during the Question Hour of the ongoing Budget Session.

The Minister informed the House that augmentation, if any, may be considered in the interest of patient care, as and when such need arises.

She further said that for construction of a building for NTPHC Sumbal, which is currently functioning in rented accommodation, Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal has been requested to identify suitable land.

“As of now, no funds have been sanctioned or proposed for construction of the NTPHC building, which shall be considered after the formal transfer of encumbrance-free land and availability of budgetary resources in a phased manner,” she added.

36 Health Sub Centres, PHCs functioning in Reasi Constituency: Health Minister

Minister for Health & Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo today informed the Legislative Assembly that 36 Health Sub-Centres and Primary Health Centres (PHCs) are functioning in Reasi constituency, with 175 personnel currently in position at these institutes.

The Minister was replying to a query raised by Legislator Kuldeep Raj Dubey, regarding the status of health facilities in the constituency.

She stated that out of the sanctioned strength of 163 regular staff, including MLPs, FMPHWs, sanitation workers and other categories, 101 are presently in position. Similarly, out of 78 sanctioned staff under the National Health Mission (NHM), 74 have been deployed in these health centres.

The Minister further informed the House that three medical/paramedical staff members have been attached or deployed at places other than their original postings, with special reference to the Reasi constituency.

She also said that the villages of Drabi Panchayat, Harotekote and Dhakikot Panchayat (Dhakikote) currently do not have any Health Sub-Centre or PHC.

“However, these areas do not meet the minimum criteria required for establishment of Sub-Centres/PHCs as per IPHS norms 2022,” she added.

28,186 AWCs operational in J&K: Sakeena Itoo

Minister for Social Welfare Sakeena Itoo today informed the House that 28,186 Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) are currently operational in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Minister stated this in reply to a question raised by Legislator Arjun Singh Raju regarding Anganwadi Centers in the Legislative Assembly.

The Minister informed the House that 26,937 AWCs  are operating from rented premises.  She added that construction of permanent buildings for AWCs shall be considered in a phased manner, subject to the availability of funds and land.

The Minister further said that the matter regarding opening of new Anganwadi Centres that fulfill the criteria would be examined for submission to  GOI.