Work begins on J&K’s first health emergency operation centre in Srinagar

Srinagar, Nov 16: Following its announcement earlier this year, the work on Jammu and Kashmir’s first Health Emergency Operation Center (HEOC) has been started at PHC Chanpora designed to provide robust responses to health emergencies.
In August this year, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India, announced 15 HEOCs nationwide, including one for Jammu and Kashmir considering the composite disaster risk, disease outbreak and health index of the UT.
An official of Health Department Kashmir said the department reviewed the status of establishment of HEOC as per the directions of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, GoI, at PHC Chanapora and it was later finalized following thorough discussions.
Chief Medical Officer, Srinagar, Dr Tahir Sajad, stated that the construction of the emergency centre facility at Chanpora is currently underway.
He added that the operation theatre is being upgraded, and work on other hospital infrastructure has also commenced to ensure the facility meets modern healthcare standards.
“There are already two state-of-the-art operation theatres (OTs) and now we are adding one more such high end theatre there. It is under progress,” the CMO said.
Dr Sajad said the facility will be equipped with additional features, including 24/7 ultrasound (USG) and computed tomography (CT) scan services.
Specialists such as surgeons, anesthetists, and other super-specialists will be stationed there to deliver high-quality patient care. He said furthermore, the staff strength will be enhanced to ensure seamless operations.
The project is being developed by the National Health Mission, Jammu and Kashmir, under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) to elevate healthcare standards in the region in line with the Health Ministry’s vision.
Earlier, when the HEOCs were announced, the Health Ministry had said that these facilities are envisioned to act as a hub with requisite Information Communication Technology tools for coordinated preparedness and response activities before, during and in the aftermath of disasters as well other public health emergencies.
Officials said the HEOCs are envisioned to act as a hub with requisite Information Communication Technology tools for coordinated preparedness and response activities before, during and in the aftermath of disasters as well other public health emergencies.
“As conveyed earlier, the cost of setting up of this facility shall be borne by this Ministry and the State Government is required to provide built up space of 250 sq. mts. with requisite services for common utilities to make the HEOCs operational,” said a communication issued earlier to States/UT.
The HEOCs are designed to provide robust responses to health emergencies and play a critical role in coordinating and managing health crisis, ensuring timely interventions, and improving emergency preparedness and response at both state and national levels.
The facilities focus on developing capacities of health systems and institutions at all levels viz. primary, secondary and tertiary and on preparing health systems to respond effectively to current and future pandemics/disasters.