SRINAGAR: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo, informed the Legislative Assembly today that the government is prioritising the consolidation of existing healthcare facilities rather than constructing new infrastructure.
She made this statement while responding to a question raised by Mushtaq Ahmad Guroo in the Legislative Assembly.
The Minister informed the House that, in compliance with Government Order No. 628-HME of 2016 dated 03-12-2016, NTPHC Barzulla was relocated to MMC Sanat Nagar, Srinagar, along with its assets and manpower, where it is currently operational. She added that the centre’s working hours are from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM, in line with other healthcare institutions.
She sAId that MMC Sanat Nagar functions within a G+1 structure, with OPD and immunisation services provided on the ground floor, while the first floor houses a youth rehabilitation and mental healthcare facility.
The Minister further said that JK is currently focused on strengthening around 4,000 existing health institutions at various levels—primary, secondary, and tertiary. She noted that J&K is among the leading states and union territories in terms of healthcare institution density, as per a report published in 2023 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India.
She highlighted that JK has a healthcare institution for every 3,500 people, compared to the national average of one for every 6,000 people.
The Minister also informed the House that the government has future plans for new healthcare facilities and upgrades. However, these will be implemented once the austerity measures imposed under Government Order No. 10-F of 2025 dated 11.01.2025 by the Finance Department are withdrawn and critical gaps, as per IPHS guidelines, are assessed.
