Pulwama, Mar 22: The Health and Medical Education (H&ME) Department has announced plans to strengthen treatment and diagnostic facilities at PHC Khrew for pulmonary and cardiac patients.
The information was shared by the minister in charge of H&ME Department, in response to a query from MLA Pampore, Retired Justice Hasnain Masoodi.
The government acknowledged that air pollution has increased due to emissions from cement factories, leading to a rise in pulmonary and cardiac diseases among the local population.
The house was informed that relevant interventions are being explored under the National Programme on Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH) under the National Health Mission (NHM).
The house was informed that the government is considering strengthening diagnostic facilities, screening for respiratory ailments, and establishing a Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) clinic under NPCCHH to cater to affected patients.
It was also revealed that a proposal for the upgradation of PHC Khrew has been submitted by the Directorate of Health Services, Kashmir. However, at present, the H&ME Department is not considering any upgradations of health institutions during the 2024-2025 financial year due to austerity measures imposed by the Finance Department, Civil Secretariat, J&K, under Government Order No. 10-F of 2025, dated 11.01.2025. Instead, the government is focusing on consolidating existing health institutes at various levels, including primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare.
The minister in charge said any future upgradations will be assessed as per the Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) and other relevant guidelines, ensuring that healthcare infrastructure improvements align with national standards and fiscal policies.
