JAMMU: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo, today informed the House that 39 health institutions are functioning in Shri Mata Vaishno Devi (SMVD) constituency besides Narayana Super Specialty Hospital is providing advanced healthcare facilities to locals in the constituency.
The Minister said this while replying to a question raised by Baldev Raj Sharma in the Legislative Assembly.
The Minister further informed that 1 CHC, 2 PHCs, 5 NTPHCs and 31 Sub Centres are functional in SMVD constituency adding that Bhomag village falls under Block Medical Officer Reasi and there is no such sanctioned post of BMO Bhomag. Further, no such office building for the office of BMO is being constructed at Bhomag, she said.
The Minister also informed that a Sub Centre at Kothroo and Kroonkote is under construction under district Capex besides CHC Katra is functioning as 30-bedded SDH with 5 specialties and additional specialized services of Sinologist and Orthopaedics. She said that as per the IPHS standard there is no provision of any specialist doctor for PHCs, adding that PHC Tote is operational and adequately staffed with both Medical and Paramedical staff.
While giving details regarding filling up of vacancies in health department, the Minister said the department appointed 365 Medical Officers and posted them in far-flung/peripheral health institutes across J&K for strengthening the healthcare facilities at grassroots level in the month of November, 2024. She informed that the department is also in process of operating waitlist in respect of 91 selectee Medical Officers, whose services will also be utilized in the underserved areas across the J&K.
The Minister added that 181 posts of Medical Officers are about to be received from Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission, which will significantly reduce the staff shortages in various health institutions. She further informed that 292 vacancies in the non-gazetted/paramedical category from the Directorate of Family Welfare, Maternity and Child Health (MCH) and Immunization besides 290 vacancies in respect of Directorate of Health Services Jammu have also been referred to the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (J&K SSB) for recruitment which will significantly strengthen and improve the healthcare system.
Regarding up gradation of CHC Katra to SDH or ADH, the Minister said that up gradation of any health institute will be taken under IPHC norms, if needed.
Regarding staff position in healthcare institutions in SMVD constituency, the Minister said that against 184 (Medical and Paramedical) sanctioned posts, 107 have been filled up while additional NHM staff of 105 (Medical and Paramedical) has been posted in the SMVD constituency. (KDC)
