JAMMU: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo, today informed the Legislative Assembly that the government is working on consolidation of existing healthcare facilities rather than creating and constructing new infrastructure. The Minister said this while replying to a question raised by Mushtaq Ahmad Guroo in the Legislative Assembly.
The Minister informed the house that in compliance to Government Order No: 628-HME of 2016 dated: 03-12-2016, NTPHC Barzulla was relocated to MMC Sanat Nagar Srinagar along with assets and manpower where it is presently functional. She added that the working hours of the Centre are in line with the other institutions i.e from 10.00 AM to 4.30 PM.
She informed that the MMC Sanat Nagar is functioning with G+1 structure and presently OPD and immunization facility is being provided in the ground floor of the building, with the first floor of the building housing Youth rehabilitation and Mental Healthcare facility.
The Minister further said that as of now J&K is working on consolidation of the existing health facilities of around 4000 health institutes at various levels (Primary, Secondary and Tertiary). She informed that J&K is one of the top runners among large States/UTs in health institution density in the country, adding that these calculations worked as per the report published in 2023 by MoHFW, GoI.
She highlighted that J&K has a health institution for every 3500 souls against an average of 6000 souls at national level. The Minister further informed the House that government has plans for future creations/upgradations as of now and same will be worked out once the austerity measures in terms of Government Order No. 10-F of 2025 dated 11.01.2025 imposed by the Finance Department are withdrawn and critical gaps as per IPHS, if any, are assessed.
