SRINAGAR: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo, said that six Medical Officers and two Dental Surgeons, along with other dedicated staff, are providing healthcare services at Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Shangus in Anantnag.
Replying to a question raised by Reyaz Ahmad Khan in the Legislative Assembly, the Minister said that in November 2024, 365 selectees were appointed as Medical Officers in the J&K Health & Family Welfare (Gazetted) Services. Of these, 16 were posted in peripheral and far-flung health institutes of Anantnag district to strengthen healthcare facilities at the grassroots level.
She further informed that SDH Shangus has four sanctioned posts of Medical Officers, all of which are currently filled. Additionally, two Medical Officers under the National Health Mission (NHM) are also serving at the hospital. The two sanctioned posts of Dental Surgeons for SDH Shangus are also occupied.
Regarding specialist posts, the Minister said that positions were created for SDH Shangus but were later placed in abeyance under Government Order No. 875. She added that the upgradation of health institutions depends on multiple factors, including population, infrastructure, distance from nearby health facilities, workload, and compliance with IPHS norms-2022 and government circulars issued from time to time.
