District Hospitals witness substantial upgrades, State-of-the-Art Facilities now available in the aftermath of the Article 370 abrogation, district hospitals in Kashmir have experienced a remarkable transformation with significant infrastructure upgrades, offering state-of-the-art facilities to cater to the healthcare needs of the region.
Dr. Mir Mushtaq, spokesperson for the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir, highlighted the notable improvements in healthcare services and a shift in focus towards district hospitals.
District hospitals in Baramulla and Handwara have undergone notable developments, with both being converted into medical colleges. The government is actively targeting other district hospitals, including Kupwara, Pulwama, Kulgam, and Budgam, to enhance their functioning by upgrading machinery, diagnostics, and logistics on a daily basis.
Several district hospitals have seen significant improvements, with CT Scans and dialysis centers being installed at DH Kulgam, DH Pulwama, and SDH Kupwara. These additions have brought considerable relief to patients and enhanced healthcare facilities in these hospitals.
One major enhancement that has expanded maternity services and reduced the burden on tertiary care hospitals is the implementation of 24/7 operation theatres in district hospitals.
During the challenging Covid-19 pandemic, all district hospitals underwent improvements in their oxygen facilities, enabling effective management of Covid-19 waves within their premises. Additionally, oxygen cylinders were ensured even at the Primary Health Center (PHC) level to handle emergencies.
Intensive Care Units (ICUs), High Dependency Units (HDUs), Mini ICUs, Paediatric Intensive Care Units (PICUs), and Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) have been successfully set up and made operational in district hospitals. These additions have significantly enhanced paediatric and maternity care services, ensuring specialized care for critically ill patients and newborns.
The spokesperson emphasized that these remarkable improvements have brought about a transformative change in the healthcare landscape of rural areas in the valley. Efforts are ongoing to continue enhancing these facilities by adding more specialized services and state-of-the-art facilities.
In September 2021, Five Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATFs) were established in rural areas through collaboration with the National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre, AIIMS New Delhi, to combat drug abuse and address mental health issues. These five ATFs are operational in the districts of Budgam, Bandipora, Pulwama, Shopian, and Kulgam.
In 2021, the District Hospital Baramulla earned recognition from NITI Ayog for its exceptional performance and inclusion in the list of top-performing district hospitals in India. This achievement was attributed to the hospital’s provision of all support services, made possible through the implementation of upgraded facilities.
Bhupinder Kumar, Administrative Secretary, H&ME Department, highlighted that J&K has a robust healthcare infrastructure, with more than 4100 health facilities broadly catering to the geographical extent as per the IPHS norms. Efforts are being made to strengthen the healthcare system by filling the necessary manpower, equipment, and supply gaps.
The department has formulated a roadmap and is actively working towards achieving all the desired goals outlined in its vision, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals. Kumar also mentioned the upcoming world-class health infrastructure, including prestigious projects like two AIIMS, nine GMCs, 15 Nursing Colleges, two SCIs, and two B&J hospitals, worth more than Rs 7000 crore.
In the coming five years, J&K is set to have a world-class healthcare infrastructure, with full coverage of health facilities across the UT and Universal Health Insurance Cover for the entire population. Technical interventions through ABDM, Tele MANAS, e-Sanjeevani, and others are expected to be game-changers in the health sector.
