SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir has not yet established a separate Division-level integrated real-time monitoring and control mechanism for its public health institutions, including district and sub-district hospitals, the Government has informed the Legislative Assembly.
The Health and Medical Education Department said the existing supervisory system under the respective Directorates of Health Services is being used to monitor healthcare delivery, including the availability and deployment of doctors and other staff, patient care, emergency preparedness and critical incidents.
The government was responding to an Un-Starred Question raised by MLA Mehraj Malik regarding the monitoring and control mechanism for public health institutions.
At present, monitoring is carried out through Chief Medical Officers, Medical Superintendents, Block Medical Officers and other designated supervisory functionaries under the respective Directorates of Health Services.
The department said these officials monitor essential service delivery parameters through prescribed reporting channels, periodic reviews, supervisory visits and official communications.
Issues requiring intervention are escalated to the appropriate supervisory level for necessary action, according to the government.
The government, however, said there was currently no separate integrated Division-level system providing real-time monitoring and control across NTPHCs, PHCs, Sub-District Hospitals and District Hospitals.
On whether the government proposed to establish a 24×7 District/Division-level Health Control Room and an integrated digital dashboard modelled on an emergency command and control system, the department said the proposal was under consideration.
The proposed mechanism would be examined in light of its feasibility, institutional requirements, information technology infrastructure and availability of resources, the government said.
No specific timeline for establishing the proposed control room or digital dashboard was provided in the reply.
Until such a system is established, the existing supervisory arrangement will continue to handle emergent issues and facilitate escalation to the appropriate level, the department said.
The reply was issued by the Health and Medical Education Department in response to Un-Starred Question No. 1/6/466 tabled by Mehraj Malik.
