SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir government has clarified that there is no proposal to upgrade Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Kupwara to District Hospital (DH) status.
Health and Medical Education Department Minister Sakina Itoo, responding to a query from MLA Fayaz Ahmad Mir, said that no active proposal is under consideration for the upgradation. However, discussions with the National Medical Commission (NMC) are ongoing to designate SDH Kupwara as an Associated Hospital of GMC Handwara to enhance healthcare services.
“To strengthen staffing, the government created 46 posts, including 8 Consultants, 5 Doctors, and 33 Paramedics/others. The hospital currently has 8 Consultants (6 Regular, 2 NHM) out of a sanctioned 15 and 29 Medical Officers (18 Regular, 11 NHM) out of a sanctioned 30. Since 04.03.2022, DNB courses in five specialties have been introduced, establishing functional departments and a fully operational Dialysis Unit with 181 medical equipment items,” Sakina Itoo said.
She firther said that the hospital has 187 staff (93 Regular, 94 NHM) against a sanctioned 239. Infrastructure includes a 200-bed IPD block, OPD, diagnostic and OT blocks, BMO quarter, doctors’ hostel, and residential quarters. The old SDH building is being renovated for hostel use. A DIPHL lab and a 50-bedded Critical Care Block are under development under PM ABHIM.
“Patient numbers have increased, reflecting improved services. OPD visits rose from 1.49 lakh in 2020-21 to 3.05 lakh in 2023-24, while IPD admissions increased from 11,590 to 21,778. Major and minor surgeries, institutional deliveries, and LSCS cases have also seen a steady rise,” minister said.
Addressing another query from MLA Mir Saifullah, Itoo confirmed that SDH Kralpora is operational and adequately staffed. Of the 15 sanctioned posts for Medical Officers/Consultants, 10 are filled. Three NHM doctors and 4 from the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) program have been deployed to support services at Kralpora.
Similarly, Primary Health Center (PHC) Trehgam has 4 of its 5 sanctioned Medical Officer posts filled, with additional support from 2 NHM doctors and 4 RBSK staff for field-based activities, she said.
Itoo said, “Some paramedical posts remain vacant, but recruitment efforts are ongoing. The Directorate of Family Welfare, MCH, and Immunisation has referred 292 Non-Gazetted/Paramedic posts to the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) for recruitment to strengthen healthcare services.” (KNO)
