J&K among top in health institution density with over 4,200 institutes: Govt

Rules out health infra upgradation in Langate

Srinagar, Mar 19: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday informed House that the region has over 4,200 health institutions at various levels—primary, secondary, and tertiary—placing it among the top regions in health institution density, as per the NITI Aayog Report 2023.

The government response to MLA Sheikh Khursheed, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) ruled out any immediate plans to upgrade the existing infrastructure of Primary Health Centers (PHCs) and Sub-District Hospitals (SDHs) in Langate, citing ongoing austerity measures.

Future upgradation and expansion of health facilities are currently on hold due to financial restrictions imposed under Government Order No. 17-F of 2024, dated January 15, 2024, government said.

However, the government has emphasized its commitment to strengthening the existing healthcare infrastructure in accordance with Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS).

To bridge critical gaps, authorities plan to enhance medical services through the e-Sanjeevani telemedicine platform, adopting a hub-and-spoke model to improve healthcare access for the common man, the response added—(KNO)

290 consultant posts vacant in J&K hospitals: Govt

‘Emergency hospital Batote doesn’t qualify for SDH upgradation’

Srinagar, Mar 19: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday said 290 consultant posts remain vacant across various hospitals in the Union Territory.

Responding to a question from MLA Arjun Singh Raju, Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said J&K has a sanctioned strength of 852 consultants, out of which 562 are in position, while 290 posts remain vacant as of March 1, 2025.

Itoo said the vacant posts are being filled based on a 60:40 recruitment ratio, with 60% of the posts being directly recruited through the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC) and 40% reserved for promotion.

The promotional quota is under review by the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC), she said, adding that the direct recruitment quota will soon be referred to JKPSC after completing the required formalities.

The minister said J&K has a sanctioned strength of 42 senior consultants, of which 19 are in position, and 23 remain vacant. These are all promotional quota posts, currently under review by the DPC.

At District Hospital Ramban, there is a sanctioned strength of 22 consultants/specialists, but only 5 are in position, while 17 posts remain vacant.

The hospital, which was upgraded to a 50-bedded facility in 2014, has now expanded to 66 beds with 8-bedded Maternal ICU (added in May 2023) and 8-bedded Pediatric ICU (added in November 2024) under the Emergency COVID Response Package (ECRP-II) Scheme

The minister clarified that no new health facility upgrades or expansions are planned due to austerity measures imposed by the Finance Department under Government Order No. 10-F of 2025.

“The focus is on consolidating existing health facilities, as J&K already has around 4,200 health institutions at primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. J&K ranks among the top UTs and states in health institution density,” she said.

Itoo said the Trauma Centre Ramban has been functional since July 30, 2010, constructed at a cost of Rs 75.04 lakh under the State Sector scheme for Capacity Building for Trauma Care Facilities on National Highways.

She said PHC Ukhral does not qualify for CHC upgradation under the IPHS 2022 guidelines, which require a minimum population of 80,000, whereas Ukhral has only 29,853 residents.

“Emergency Hospital Batote does not qualify for SDH status, as per IPHS 2022 norms, which state that districts with less than 5 lakh population and a functional District Hospital do not require a Sub-District Hospital. Ramban district has a population of 2,83,713,” she said.

However, the minister said, Batote Block is already facilitated with 1 CHC, 2 PHCs, 9 NTPHCs and 26 Sub-Centres.

These facilities, staffed with skilled personnel, are providing healthcare services to the area, the minister added—(KNO)

No plan to train educated youth as pharmacists at village level: Govt

‘205 medical staff in position out of 365 sanctioned posts in Kalakote-Sundarbani’

Srinagar, Mar 19 (KNO): The Jammu and Kashmir government has no proposal to train educated youth as pharmacists at the village level, Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo informed the Assembly on Wednesday.

Responding to a question from MLA Balwant Singh Mankotia, Itoo, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that 37 medical institutions in Block Chenani, five in Block Basantgarh, and seven in Block Ramnagar are currently providing healthcare services in Chenani Constituency.

She added that vacant posts in these institutions are being referred to recruitment agencies to ensure timely appointments and strengthen the healthcare system across J&K.

Itoo said several health institutions in far-flung areas are operational, including NTPHC Panchound, Sub Centre Parla Chapper, MAC Satyalta, PHC Gharian, Sub Centre Nagulta, Sub Centre Tanghdar, Sub Centre Ladha, NTPHC Madha, Sub Centre Kollasar, MAC Sarar, NTPHC Mantalal, PHC Sudhmahadev, Sub Centre Ghantwal and NTPHC Sewna.

The minister said the establishment or upgrade of health institutions depends on multiple factors, including population density, existing infrastructure, distance from nearby facilities, workload and compliance with IPHS norms.

To enhance emergency care, CHC Chenani and SDH Ramnagar have been equipped with emergency rooms, including upgraded medical equipment and trained staff, she said, adding that patients requiring advanced treatment are referred to tertiary healthcare centres.

Responding to a question from MLA Thakur Randhir Singh, Itoo said that 205 out of 365 sanctioned medical and paramedical posts are filled in Kalakote-Sundarbani Constituency. She said 50 staff members have been deployed under the National Health Mission (NHM).

“A sonologist is available at SDH Sunderbani twice a week, X-ray services are available 24/7 at CHC Kalakote and SDH Sunderbani, a new X-ray machine has been procured for PHC Trayath and will soon be installed at PHC Moughla,” she said, adding, “No X-ray technician post is currently sanctioned at PHC Moughla and patients requiring unavailable services are referred to SDH Sunderbani and GMC Rajouri.”

The minister assured that the health department is actively working on deploying technical staff to ensure the full functionality of medical equipment in all institutions—(KNO)