Srinagar, Mar15: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday said that all healthcare institutions across the Union Territory, including District Hospital in North Kashmir’s Bandipora District have adequate Healthcare Infrastructure and manpower.
In a written reply in the Legislative Assembly, the Health and Medical Education Department said that DH Bandipora, PHC Ashtangoo, PHC Choutimulla, and NTPHC Zuriwanz, have adequate infrastructure, equipment, and human resources to provide quality patient care.
It also said that while the hospitals and health centers have the required staff, vacancies arising due to retirements and promotions are regularly referred to recruitment agencies to ensure optimal staffing levels.
The government also confirmed that NTPHC Zuriwanz is currently operating from a rented building, while its new government facility is under construction and will be functional soon.
Regarding the establishment and upgradation of healthcare facilities, the government follows specific parameters. For NTPHCs, the feasibility report from the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) or Block Medical Officer (BMO) is considered, along with factors such as availability of 3-4 kanals of land, a population threshold of 30,000 in plain areas and 20,000 in hilly areas, and a minimum 5 km distance from the nearest health facility.
Similarly, for Sub-Centers, the criteria include a feasibility report from the concerned CMO or BMO, 2 kanals of land, a population threshold of 3,000 in plain areas and 2,000 in hilly areas, and a 5 km distance from the nearest healthcare facility.
In terms of human resources, the data provided in the Legislative Assembly detailed the staffing positions at District Hospital Bandipora and associated health centers.
The hospital has one Medical Superintendent, 14 specialist doctors (with 9 in position and 5 vacant), 18 Medical Officers (with 10 in position), pediatricians, dental surgeons, lab technicians, X-ray technicians, O.T. technicians, and other support staff. Additional roles, such as physiotherapists, social workers, and data entry operators, are also assigned under different national health programs.
