PHC Batamaloo’s catchment area too small for SDH upgrade: Health Minister

Srinagar, Mar 22: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Itoo on Saturday informed the Assembly that the Primary Health Centre (PHC) Batamaloo does not qualify for an upgrade to the Sub-District Hospital (SDH) level due to its relatively small catchment area.
She said this in response to a question raised by Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president and MLA Tariq Hameed Karra, who sought clarification on the potential upgradation of the Batamaloo dispensary.
Itoo said, “The Batamaloo health institution was upgraded to PHC status in 2007-08, with 12 sanctioned posts, including two Medical Officers and two Dental Surgeons. The PHC is well-equipped, with a four-story building and a bed capacity of 56, which was increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“However, the catchment area of PHC Batamaloo serves approximately 0.50 lakh people, which is far below the 1.5 lakh required for an SDH. Given this, the PHC does not qualify for an upgrade to SDH status,” she added.
The minister further said the health institution is already being served by several higher and tertiary-level healthcare institutions, such as the Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar, Super Specialty Hospital Srinagar, SKIMS, SKIMS (JVC) Medical College, SMHS Hospital, L.D. Hospital, UPHC Bemina, and NTPHC Lachmanpora, all of which are within a short distance of 2 to 6 kilometres from Batamaloo.
“These nearby institutions effectively meet the healthcare needs of the local population, reducing the necessity for an SDH upgrade,” she said.