200 PHCs in rural areas operate from rented spaces
Lack of water & electricity affects nearly 30% of rural sub-centres in J&K
Srinagar, Oct 23: The latest “Health Dynamics of India: Infrastructure & Human Resources” report by the Union Ministry of Health has shed light on the state of rural healthcare in Jammu and Kashmir, revealing persistent gaps despite government efforts to strengthen facilities.
The report highlights that there are 890 Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in rural areas across J&K as of March 2023. Out of these, 690 are operating from government buildings, while the remaining 200 function in rented accommodations. The shortage of adequate infrastructure at PHCs forces many patients to seek treatment at district or sub-district hospitals, even for minor ailments, underscoring the need for improved rural healthcare services.
“Jammu and Kashmir has a total of 890 PHCs which are functioning as on March 2023, out of which 690 are working in government buildings, rest have no buildings,” the report stated, reflecting on the infrastructure challenges in rural health delivery.
However, the report also noted some positives. All 52 Community Health Centres (CHCs) in the rural areas of the Union Territory are housed in government buildings, marking a more stable infrastructure compared to the PHCs.
The publication further reveals that J&K has 2,434 sub-centres spread across rural regions, but only 824 of these operate from government buildings. The majority, 1,580, function from rented spaces, and an additional 30 sub-centres are housed in rent-free panchayat buildings. The report indicates that 1,610 new buildings are needed to accommodate these sub-centres adequately.
Adding to the concerns, the report disclosed that 27% of rural sub-centres, accounting for 675, lack regular water supply, while 534 sub-centres (21%) operate without a reliable electricity connection.
The annual report, formerly known as “Rural Health Statistics (RHS),” plays a vital role in shaping policy decisions and interventions. It acts as a critical source of information for assessing the status of public health infrastructure and human resources, offering insights for monitoring and improving the progress of flagship health programs under the National Health Mission (NHM).
Compiled from data provided by States and Union Territories, the report is cross-checked and validated to ensure consistency. It serves as a reliable tool for the Government of India and other stakeholders to track advancements in health infrastructure, providing crucial inputs to address the challenges and improve healthcare services at the grassroots level.
