Srinagar, March 06: The Health & Medical Education Department has informed the Jammu and Kashmir Government that the construction of the hospital building for the Primary Health Center (PHC) in Keran, a tehsil in Kupwara district, will be completed soon.
The information was provided by the Minister of Health and Medical Education in the Legislative Assembly in response to a starred question raised by MLA Trehgam Assembly Constituency, Mir Saifullah, regarding the project’s status.
The House was informed that the existing hospital building of PHC Keran is currently under construction, which may give it a dilapidated appearance. However, the department clarified that the ground floor has already been completed, while work on the first floor is in progress and will be completed soon.
“The department is making every effort to finish the construction. However, the limited working season due to natural factors such as snowfall and severe cold has impacted the pace of work,” the reply stated.
The government was also informed that Government Hospital Keran has sufficient medical and paramedical staff to ensure essential healthcare services for the local population.
However, vacancies remain, as two posts of Medical Officers (one from the regular cadre and one under NHM), 14 paramedical staff positions from the health department, and three paramedical posts under NHM are currently unfilled.
The House was further informed that in November 2024, 365 Medical Officers were appointed under the J&K Health & Family Welfare (Gazetted) Services. Of these, 44 were posted in far-flung and peripheral health institutions in Kupwara district, significantly strengthening healthcare at the grassroots level.
Additionally, the department stated that it is in the process of operating a waitlist for 91 selected Medical Officers, whose services will be utilized in underserved areas across J&K. Moreover, the selection of 181 Medical Officers is underway through the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC). Once finalized, these doctors will be posted in health institutions facing staff shortages.
