Srinagar, Mar 18: The Health and Medical Education (H&ME) Department on Tuesday said 68 health facilities are currently functional in Banihal-Gool Constituency, while approximately 165 posts, including those of doctors and paramedical staff, remain vacant in various hospitals.
The information was provided in the Legislative Assembly in response to a starred question raised by MLA Sajjad Shaheen regarding the healthcare infrastructure in Banihal-Gool Constituency.
Responding to a question on the steps being taken to upgrade healthcare facilities in peripheral hospitals of the constituency, the government said 68 healthcare institutions are currently functional, which include: 01 Sub-District Hospital (SDH), 01 Community Health Centre (CHC), 07 Primary Health Centres (PHCs), 12 New Type PHCs (NTPHCs) and 47 Sub-Centres.
These institutions provide primary to secondary healthcare services, including maternal and child care, immunisation, family planning and treatment for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension, cardiac diseases, diabetes, and renal diseases, it said, adding that screening and testing at the primary level aim to reduce the burden on higher healthcare centres.
The facilities are equipped with IPD and OPD services, X-ray, laboratory services, and ambulance support. Additionally, ultrasound (USG) facilities are available at District Hospitals (DH) and SDH levels.
To address the shortage of medical staff, the government said it is in the process of filling vacant positions for both Gazetted and Non-Gazetted staff, including paramedics. Recently, 365 Medical Officers were appointed, out of which 17 were posted in various health institutions in Ramban district.
Responding to a query on staff strength and vacancies in PHCs, CHCs, and Sub-Centres, the government informed that out of a total of 354 sanctioned posts in the constituency, 231 positions are currently filled, while 165 posts remain vacant.
The government said that adequate medical equipment is available in most healthcare facilities in Banihal-Gool Constituency. However, minor infrastructure and equipment upgrades will be addressed in the 2025-26 financial year.
Responding to a question regarding steps being taken to save lives on the highly accident-prone National Highway from Banihal to Ramban, where many lives are lost each year due to the lack of specialised medical treatment facilities, the government said the road stretch has been identified as accident-prone.
As part of road safety measures, the Health Department has initiated training programmes for Police Personnel, Traffic Police Personnel, Fire & Safety Personnel, and Medical Officers/Paramedic staff.
The house was informed that a total of 3,977 individuals, including those from Banihal Constituency, have been trained in Basic Life Support (BLS) and First Aid to handle accidental emergencies.
Additionally, a designated Trauma Centre at DH Ramban is catering to the adjoining population, including trauma patients from Banihal. SDH Banihal is also providing medical care to trauma patients within its vicinity as a First Referral Institute.
As per guidelines for establishing Trauma Care Centers, there must be a minimum distance of 60 km between two centres. Since the distance between Ramban and Banihal is only 30 km, the govt. clarified that there is no proposal to establish a Trauma Centre at Banihal.
Responding to another question on whether the government intends to upgrade healthcare infrastructure in Ramban district, specifically in Banihal, Khari, Ramsoo, Gool and Ukharhal, the reply confirmed that infrastructure is being upgraded in several health institutions of the district. PHC Mangit has been completed under PMDP.
Furthermore, residential quarters for paramedical staff and a mortuary in Emergency Hospital Batote were initiated under NHM, with funds earmarked for completion under UT Capex 2025-26. Staff quarters (G+3) and underground parking at DH Ramban are under construction, with funds allocated for completion in 2025-26 under UT Capex.
Additionally, PHCs in Neel, Batroo, Ukhral, and Trigam are under execution, with funding designated under UT Capex. The government also emphasized its ongoing efforts to strengthen and consolidate existing healthcare facilities by equipping them with manpower and infrastructure, highlighting that Jammu & Kashmir has one of the highest densities of health institutes in the country.
