No shortage of staff in PHCs of Tral constituency

Srinagar, Apr 08: The Health and Medical Education (H&ME) Department has informed the Jammu and Kashmir government that there is no shortage of medical and para-medical staff in Primary Health Centres (PHCs) such as Aripal, Dadsara, and Kahil in Tral Constituency.
This information was presented in the Legislative Assembly in response to a starred question raised by MLA Rafiq Ahmad Malik regarding the deployment of medical and paramedical staff in the region.
Responding to a query about the Community Health Centre (CHC) Tral, the Assembly was informed that the CHC has not yet been upgraded to the level of a Sub-District Hospital (SDH). However, the issue was taken up in a District Board meeting a decade ago for consideration of its augmentation.
“Currently, austerity measures issued by the Finance Department are in effect. Therefore, the focus is on consolidating existing health facilities. Jammu and Kashmir already has around 4,000 health institutions across primary, secondary, and tertiary levels,” the reply stated.
The government further noted that Jammu and Kashmir ranks among the top regions in terms of health institution density. According to a 2023 report by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India, the UT has one health institution for every 3,500 people—better than the national average of one for every 6,000.
Surveys regarding the feasibility of establishing new PHCs, NTPHCs, Sub-District Hospitals, and Sub-Centres are conducted by concerned offices. If the findings align with Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS), proposals are forwarded for approval.
Regarding specialist vacancies, the reply stated that two medical officers with postgraduate qualifications in surgery are performing the duties of surgeon specialists at CHC Tral. Likewise, three Medical Officers with postgraduate or diploma qualifications in gynecology are handling gynecological services.
As for the radiologist post, it has not been officially sanctioned at CHC Tral. However, Dr. Zaffer Iqbal, a Medical Officer trained in ultrasonography (USG), is currently performing radiological duties. Additionally, Dr. Irshad Ahmad Malik, a radiologist from District Hospital Pulwama, visits CHC Tral every Saturday to conduct USG examinations.
The Assembly was categorically informed, “There is no shortage of medical and paramedical staff in PHCs such as Aripal, Dadsara, and Kahil in the Tral Constituency.”